[Newport 18. March 17[99]] [Major General Alexander Hamilton] [New york] [postal notation: 45 / 17] [administrative notation: bb 21. 21 mar / enclosing / 19] [Major General pg 207] [Alex.^r Hamilton.] Newport March 18^th 1799 Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7^th inst.^t I communicated it to the present Commanding officer, and have taken the command at Rhode Island agreeably to your order. He inclosed to me a copy of your letter of the 15.^th of Febs.^t to the contents of which I will exactly conform myself. I will bear in mind, in the exercise of my command, that I am not to be long stationary and take care that the public service shall not suffer from the justice you was pleased to pay to my commission. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your most oblige and Very h^ble Serv^t Lewis Tousard Commandant Rhode Island