[Pages 1–2 are an archival "Illegible Text" notice and the corresponding illegible document pages, which cannot be transcribed.] [marginalia: 721 fol 15] War D[epartment] Oct[ober] 26^th 1/99 Dear [Thomas], The President has received the address signed by you on behalf of the Petersberg troop of dragoons, making a tender of their services under the law for raising a provisional army. He accepts of this offer, and has desired me to signify the satisfaction which he feels at this instance of patriotism, and display of noble and generous [undecipherable: probable reading "reasons"] for the maintenance of our liberties and our right to self government. In order to give effect to your wishes and the acceptance of the President it will be necessary that a return be made of the original association to this office, which must be signed by every member of the company. The company must, agreeably to the recent militia law [undecipherable], consist of one Captain, one [undecipherable] and one [undecipherable] [undecipherable] must be under one [undecipherable] by two individuals. I have the honor to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] D[ea]r, 75 James McHenry Inclos[ures] James Briscoe Joseph R. Castlethwaite Tho^s. Collins [undecipherable] Sam^l [undecipherable] [undecipherable]