[Address leaf:] [Maj. General Hamilton] [New York] [Endorsements: Philad. Jan 2[undecipherable] — [undecipherable] / Off[undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] D. General In last I enclose you by [this] days mail a printed copy of the [undecipherable: Mutiny?] Bill reported in the [undecipherable: Senate?]. The Bill was handed me by M^r. [undecipherable], and he is engaged in drawing a bill for Regulating the [undecipherable: Hospital?] department — [Have the] goodness to return the Bill [with] such amendments as you think proper to make — I do not see the utility of a full col. to a Regiment — If your other engagements are not too pressing, [you would] greatly oblige me by enclosing a plan for the provisional army — It is my opinion that every State ought [to] [have] one regiment at least, and that [the] President be authorized to commission [all] the officers immediately — the policy of the thing need not be doubted — Our friends in the House of Representatives [undecipherable] the enemy to gain time by long Speeches — With very great [undecipherable: regard?] I am [blotted] D[ea]r Sir [your] [undecipherable] James [undecipherable: McHenry?] Phila^d. Jan^ry 2[undecipherable]. 1799. General Hamilton