[Private] War Department 13 March 1799 D Sir I recd. your private letter of the 10^th inst. last night. The mode in which the Laws are published prevents me from receiving any of them sometimes for six weeks or two months after them being enacted, until I take copies of them from the [strikethrough: manuscripts] originals lodged with the Dep. of State and get them printed. This is what I have done with the organization and eventual army acts, and shall as soon as they are printed send you some copies. The 5 sect of the recruiting instructions, was filled up for inlistments in the 4 old Regiments and Artilery [strikethrough: copies. The blank for inlistments in the 12 Regt of infantry & 6 troops of horse, Disappointments be filled up] for and during the continuance of the existing differences between the U.S and French republic "according to your conception I expect to be able to send you the list of the officers, conformably to Schedule A. formed by the Genl. Officers. [strikethrough: with] The 13 Sect. of the recruiting instructions is founded on the 3 article of the act of war under the head Administration of Justice, vol. 3 p. 32 & 33. It is [strikethrough: then] supposed that the Officer commanding in each district will be a field Officer. I expect to be able to send you in a few days the list of Officers, conformably to the Schedule A formed [strikethrough: Unapproved] by Genl. [strikethrough: exception of the] Washington [strikethrough: to] with the alterations and deviations that [strikethrough: have] of which you have been informed and that have [strikethrough: been occupied you] occasioned [strikethrough: some] non acceptances. In your letter of Friday 16 [strikethrough: you] it is said, "It is very material to me to have without delay the distribution of the additional 12 Regiments and troops of horse [strikethrough: &c"] among the respective states according to the organization or [underline: arrangement] which is [underline: contained] in the report made to you in that by the Commander in Chief. This is requested with reference to recruiting endeavours." In my answer It is certain I understood this [strikethrough: to mean] [strikethrough: the] [strikethrough: request to apply to] the distribution of the 4 Regt. of Infantry & the Cavalry, [strikethrough: only] of the 12 Regts of Infantry only having been [strikethrough: fixed on by the] [strikethrough: Commander in Chief]. Where did the Commander in Chief contemplate to station those 4 Regt. & the Cavalry? [strikethrough: I have lately I shall religion to be the last. It first aforesaid also close] compose the officers appointed from Connecticut, [strikethrough: well as] arranged into companies by M Tracy— [strikethrough: agreably] to the principle [strikethrough: which you were] [strikethrough: found stated] of contiguity or local convenienc. Quarter Master Adjutants & Paymasters to Regiments [strikethrough: must be appointed by the President by] by the late organization act must be lieutenants & [strikethrough: commissioned and appointed] by the President. Whithin the Law admits of the above by the office of Pay master [strikethrough: function] and [strikethrough: understanding to the organization] being made by the offices among the lieutenants I cannot answer at this moment my copy of the act being with the Printer. The pay-master by the act must [strikethrough: into] come bond & security for the faithfull discharge of his duties, at least it was, so intended. When you received the schedule A. [strikethrough: a copy of the schedule] you will determine whether to take the [strikethrough: Commanders] Captains of Companies, and their [strikethrough: officers] [strikethrough: subalterns] Officers as there arranged or to [strikethrough: submit] refer it to their respective Colonels for a new [strikethrough: and different distribution] [strikethrough: arrangement] I recd. your letter dated the 5^th inst on the 11^th. I shall attend as soon as possible, to its contents. We have got an insurrection in North-Hampton County [strikethrough: but the] and in many parts [strikethrough: presence of] which will [strikethrough: as the Marsh] require the military force to secure offenders. A proclamation will issue to day declaring its existence [strikethrough: and] It is contemplated to [strikethrough: send triploy on this] [strikethrough: the volunteers only, a Comy law directing it] and [strikethrough: means of the volunteers instructions to the themselves to use means & however could be in some cases where the com was] [be] authorized to employ militia the [undecipherable] [strikethrough: it] the Law authorizes [strikethrough: of] the President to employ the volunteers in all cases in that he is authorized to [employ] the militia. yours respectfully James McHenry Mar. Gen. Alex Hamilton [13 March 1799 to Gen Hamilton]