War Department, January 10^th 1799. Sir [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] in the rank of [undecipherable] You are requested to [undecipherable] and as there [undecipherable] no [undecipherable] consideration should [undecipherable] not the appointments, that I may notify the [undecipherable]. To obviate misconception, it is proper to mention that a [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] having proceeded a complete [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] to the officers for the troops [undecipherable] the [undecipherable], the [undecipherable] that although it reserve the subject of their relative rank for future arrangement. I am, Sir, with respect, Your obedient Servant [undecipherable: probable reading Secy of War] Philip Church New York