*WAR DEPARTMENT, April 1*^*st**, 1799.* SIR, Major General Hamilton being charged with the recruiting service, you will hold yo[ur-]self in readinefs to obey such orders or inftructions, relative thereto, as may be tranfmitted to you dire[ctly] from him, or through your commanding officer. The materials for the appointment of officers to be drawn from North Carolina, South Carolina, [and] Georgia, being yet incomplete, no final arrangement can be made refpecting relative rank; it has there[fore] been thought advifeable to poftpone any partial iffue of commiffions, un[til] the officers from thefe [undecipherable] be appointed. Your pay and emoluments will commence from the date of your letter of acceptance. *I have the honor to be,* *with much refpect,* *Your obedient fervant,* *James* [undecipherable]