[Docket: Feby 8^th 1799 Major Hoops: with a list of his Officers] [Military only] [Pg 181] 8^th February 1799 [Salutation obscured] ...I have this morning received Captain Church's letter of the 6^th Inst. — my not writing on the Subject of the Deserter [undecipherable] prevented me from my desire to communicate the other Subjects. [The] [undecipherable] grounds [undecipherable] my powers to [undecipherable: probable reading remedy] — I will as far as possible make to you [undecipherable] particular communi-cation of the State of things within my command as [undecipherable: probable reading expressed] in your letter of the [2^d] Inst. My closest attention shall be given to the discipline of the Troops, but I fear that from the want of officers the business cannot for the present be much advanced in this respect — I have [undecipherable] found [undecipherable] an [intended?] order on this account as it would have been [undecipherable] the enforcement of company officers to have carried it into effect. Permit me to lay before you the enclosed Statements by which you will perceive how the Quarter Master Department of this service stands on very precarious ground — depending on one [who is] soon expected to take [his] place — the duties of [his] are very [undecipherable] performed by the officers acting as [undecipherable] or dealing in the most positive manner — acting [undecipherable] after the time when his services can properly be dispensed with — Tomorrow I will do myself the honour to call upon you for your commands, and, remain with Consideration & respect Sir [undecipherable] [Signature: undecipherable] [Address: General Hamilton New York]