[14] [S^r] [private] [c] Quincy April 13^th 1799 — Last night I received your favour of the 5^th. The proceedings detailed in it, appear to have been well considered and prudently pursued. But the restless Spirit which produced this as well as the former Insurrection in Pensylvania and which have given so much trouble to the Government. Anxiety to the Bacon and burden on the Treasury, ought to create more general indignation than they have done — I enclose all the papers and pray you to keep me informed of the progress of the business — Inclosed is a letter from Major Badlam and M^r & & llas recommends Mr Bejamin [undecipherable: Bass?] Lovett to be a Lieutenant for which I believe he is well qualified. I wish that a plan may be considered for numbering the regiments and arranging the Rank of the L^t Colonels Commandants and sent to me for my consideration. I think the best way will be to determine the Rank of the L^t Colonels and number the Regiments at first according to the numbers which designate the Rank of the commanding Officer. This will be a good precedent to get rid of the practice which has too long prevailed of becoming at one extremity of the dosen and [undecipherable] to the other — James McHenry Esq^t I am Sir Secretary of War — Your most Obedient