[57] Circular To Garrison [undecipherable: Comd'ts] Jan. 30. 1799 New York January 30 1799 Sir A letter from the Secretary at War, of yesterday, places under my [undecipherable: superintendence] the Posts and [strikethrough: garrison] troops [immediate] under your command. All future communications therefore respecting them, including all reports and returns, are to be addressed to me; and not as heretofore to the Secretary at War — It is my wish as [undecipherable] and intention to receive a full communication [undecipherable: embracing] the State of things within your commands — the number and condition of the works and buildings — the quantities and kinds of [our?] Artillery, arms and stores — the number of the troops and their situations as to discipline, encampment, and [undecipherable] — in and that you will [keep?] me [undecipherable] advised of whatever may [undecipherable] be material for the [undecipherable] discharge of your trust or the [undecipherable] advancement of the [military?] service. I cannot [undecipherable] let this first [undecipherable] pass, without calling your attention in an especial manner to the discipline of the troops — The cursory observation which I have [undecipherable] hitherto [been] able to [undecipherable] upon their [undecipherable], has not [sufficiently] [undecipherable] me that [there will] on this [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [violation?]; which must at all events be corrected. No argument is necessary to prove how essential is discipline to the respectability and [undecipherable] of the Service; and consequently to the honor, interest, and individual importance of every officer of the army. To the exertions for maintaining it, my firm support at all times may be counted upon; as it will be my steady [undecipherable], on the one hand, to promote to every reasonable extent the comfort of the troops, on the other, to secure a strict observance of their [undecipherable] With great consideration I am [undecipherable] [undecipherable]