[undecipherable] [undecipherable] New York 10^th Feb^y 1799 [undecipherable] the Hon^ble [undecipherable] Secretary of War Sir After informing you of my arrival at New York, with the [utmost] deference and respect, I would beg leave to recommend to your consideration, to order a Second Company of Artillerists and Engineers to be stationed at Brenton's point. I take the liberty to add that the officer whom you are pleased to [undecipherable] ought to be [undecipherable] notified [undecipherable] in order that he might [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] so as to arrive at this place before the beginning of the works. I do not insist any more on a subject which I know you had yourself in contemplation and whose usefulness you [undecipherable] of. Knowing Sir, that a proposition for promoting the good of the service, and [undecipherable] as much as possible will not be looked by you as an intrusion, I [undecipherable] suggest the expediency of, and respectfully request your ordering to the command or station of Breton's point Cap^t John Henry and his company. from what I have hitherto seen, or heard of that officer I would consider it as a kindness in you, in the multiplicity of business you charged me with, to place near me an officer desirous of Instructions, who has already a sufficient share of qualifications and on whom, during my frequent travels thro' the eastern harbours I might repose an entire confidence. You may soon perceive that by the presence of and on the [undecipherable] of a zealous and knowing officer the works will not suffer in my absence and himself improving by [undecipherable] whatever. Though he is [undecipherable] will soon be able [undecipherable] by himself, and answer what is expected [undecipherable] as artillerist and Engineer. His company is [undecipherable] order and may be completed soon, if it is not the [undecipherable]. The expense of their transport is but trifling, when you compare it to the other places where you might draw them from. The garrison at New York will continue still sufficiently strong, or else where Cap^t S. McCallen is appointed he may be ordered to complete his company on the [undecipherable]. I would [undecipherable] occasion to suggest in [undecipherable] the propriety of making the concentration at Brenton's point and [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] Islands and the two commandants [undecipherable] rations. The first [undecipherable] can be secured by the works, and multiplicity of [undecipherable] can [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of them, in both [undecipherable] and render necessary those compensations which the law had in contemplation for that purpose. [undecipherable] to remain attached to [undecipherable] of the Commandants of those two forts and to be expressed in your orders to me. In case you will admit of the request, I have the honor to make to you. When I am employed in this capacity of Engineer I am inclined to think and the case was lately presented to your [undecipherable]: [undecipherable] by Captain Elliott, that an officer placed by you to the command of any of the forts which I am ordered to fortify has no orders to receive from me his Superior, whether he is, or is not of the same Corps with me or even in my Battalion. This awkward situation either for them or myself as their Commandant, in fact by my commission might be easily remedied by giving me your order of commanding in the department in which I am as long as Engineers, according to the commission I bear in the Corps, or in the army. The privileges of which I do not suppose your intention is to deprive me of wherever you order me. Your compliance to my request will not only be justice, but promote the good of the service by the more immediate inspection of a Field Officer over the several commandants and the possibility of convening general courts [undecipherable] and where they are necessary without troubling the War Office with repeated and unnecessary applications. [undecipherable] the above with a respectful deference [undecipherable] is constantly submitted to your consideration while I have the honor to be with respect Sentiments of respect and esteem from [undecipherable] Signed Lewis Tousard