War Department, March 30^th 1799 Sir, I have directed two parcels of Cloathing nearly equal to your requisition of the 19^th Instant, for the Connecticut & New York Recruiting Districts, one addressed to Col. Stevens, the other to Timothy [undecipherable: probable reading Phelps] of New Haven, with directions that they shall be delivered and forwarded agreeably to your Orders. Considering that April is a good month for Recruiting, and that circumstances render it indispensable that no time should be lost to put the recruiting business in motion, I believe it will be proper that you should issue your Orders for this purpose without too strict an adherence to the System. If therefore you will designate the persons to whom I may send money it shall be immediately transmitted to them. Having withdrawn Captain Shoemaker from Frederick Town Maryland (to the scene of Insurrection) [strikethrough: and has rendered] a very [undecipherable] in that [undecipherable]. I would propose to you to have his [undecipherable] forthwith supplied by Captain Valentine Brothers who [undecipherable] in [undecipherable], is really respected by the Dutch and [undecipherable] very [undecipherable] influence. Besides his being [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Frederick Town, the measure will be attended with very good effects. He can quickly raise a Company there. Captain Brothers is entitled, as far as my information [undecipherable] to stand first Captain in his Regiment, and should no [undecipherable] information be presented to you I wish it to be kept in [undecipherable] in the final arrangement of relative rank. Let, I pray you, all those who can be immediately employed in the Recruiting Service, commence their operations forthwith. It is truly unfortunate that preparatory arrangements can no be made for enlisting in North Carolina. Upon the 16^th Instant I received from Gen^l Pinckney, a list (Of which this one is a copy) of Officers proposed to be appointed from that State. The same day I Transmitted the list to the [undecipherable: probable reading President] as [undecipherable] in my letter of the 21^st requesting authority to announce to the [undecipherable: probable reading persons] therein named, their appointments. I do not doubt [undecipherable] that I shall [undecipherable] the authority desired — you will judge [undecipherable] how far it will be prudent to proceed. I am [undecipherable] and every thing may be done upon [undecipherable] that respecting this Source which can be attempted with propriety. I have just received your letter of the 28^th. The [undecipherable] Districts presented to me in their, as well as your [undecipherable] 16^th instant is approved of. It will be necessary [undecipherable] to transmit the [undecipherable: probable reading Districts] to me [undecipherable] that purpose [undecipherable] of the different places of Rendezvous and [undecipherable] are to be procured or sent. I have the honor to be with great Respect, Sir, Your Ob^t Servant, James McHenry Major General Alexander Hamilton