[Copy General Hamilton to General Gunn New York Dec. 22. 1798] [No 46.] New York Dec. 22. 1798 My dear Sir, The post of yesterday brought me your favor of the 19^th Instant. The sentiments in it & personal tone are extremely gratifying — and I am very glad to ascertain the military ground upon which you are not unwilling to stand — If things progress, I trust there will be no obstacle to your occupying it. As to further military arrangements — [undecipherable] — considering how little has been done towards raising the force already voted; that an important tax is yet in the first stage of an essay — that a prospect of peace is again presented by the [undecipherable: probably "embarassing"] conduct of France — that serious discontents exist in parts of the Country with regard to particular laws — it appears to me adviseable to postpone any actual augmentation of the army beyond the provisions of the existing laws; except as to the Regiment of Cavalry, which I should be glad to see increased, by the addition of two troops, and by the allowing it to be recruited to the complement which has been proposed by the Commander in Chief as that of the war establishment. What this is will probably be communicated by the Secretary at War. But a considerable addition ought certainly to be made to our Militia — the Communications of the Commander in Chief will afford a standard for the increase in this respect, as far as concerns the force to be employed in the field. There are however some other objects of supply equally [undecipherable] which were not within the view of those communications — Heavy Cannon for Garrisons and mortars for [undecipherable] of large. Of the former, including those already [undecipherable: probably "present"] and promising, there ought not to be fewer than one thousand from eighteen to thirty two pounders, chiefly of twenty four of the latter, including those on hand. There ought to be fifty of ten inch Caliber. This you perceive looks to [undecipherable: probably "offensive"] operations — If we are to engage in war our game will be to attack where we can. France is not to be considered as separate from her ally. Competing objects will be within our grasp. Will it not likewise be better to review and extend the idea of a Provisional Army? The force which has been contemplated as sufficient in every event is 40,000 Infantry of the line, 2000 Riflemen, 4000 Cavalry, and four thousand Artillery, making in the whole an army of fifty thousand. Why should not the Provisional army go the extent of the difference between that number and the actual army? I think this ought to be the case, and that the President ought to be authorized, immediately, to nominate the Officers — to remain without pay till [undecipherable: probably "actual"] service. The arrangement can then be made with sufficient leisure for the best possible selection, and the persons designated will be employed in acquiring instructions. It will likewise well deserve consideration whether provision ought not to be made for classing all persons from Eighteen to forty five inclusively, and for drawing out of them by lot in case of Invasion. The number [undecipherable: probably "necessary"] to complete the entire army of fifty thousand — In the case of Invasion, the expedient of drafting must be resorted to, and it will greatly expedite it, if there be a previous classing with a view to such an event. The measure too will place the Country in a very imposing attitude and will remove the motives of caution on [undecipherable] of our enemies. These measures are all that [undecipherable] to be addressable with regard to our militia establishment under present appearances. Alone as an assertion, will of course be avoided. With greatest esteem [I] remain dear Sir Your very Obed^t Serv^t A Hamilton General Gunn