[Illegible Text notice — archival placeholder reads: Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically.] [Archival notation top right: 1799 Feb 22] Dear [undecipherable], Two letters from you dated the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] not with the [undecipherable: Papers?] & them [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it that a plan may be considered for numbering the Regiments and [undecipherable] the rank of the [undecipherable] Colonels [undecipherable] to you for consideration [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] to ourselves [undecipherable] merits, I observe It being [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] services, the [undecipherable], or without [undecipherable] file the [undecipherable: appointments?] of officers the States could take [undecipherable] [undecipherable] able, as the [undecipherable] for each Regiment [undecipherable] be numbered, to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] them [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] always at it or have influence the question [undecipherable] [undecipherable] relative [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] of Colonels. I was [undecipherable: induced?] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] my [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] was to extend to the whole [undecipherable] Regiments and [undecipherable] could not be [undecipherable] without great injury to the service [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of all should be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] have been governed by [undecipherable: geographical?] [undecipherable] ideas, according to the order [undecipherable] was adopted [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the army faced the sea board. This [undecipherable] appeared to me as good as any other and less liable to criticism. The result is, that [undecipherable] two Regiments to be raised in [undecipherable] & the Carolinas [undecipherable] Kentucky were to be numbered 5 & 6. That of which W^m. Bentley is Lt. Colonel commandant N^o 7. That of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. Parker is [undecipherable] Colonel N^o 8. That [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: Joseas?] C. Hale is [undecipherable] Colonel N^o 9. That of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. Moore is Lt. Col N^o 10 That of [undecipherable] [undecipherable: Aron?] [undecipherable: Ogden?] is 1^st Col. [undecipherable] 11. That of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. S. [undecipherable] is Lt. Col. N^o 12. That [undecipherable] [undecipherable: Timothy?] [undecipherable: Taylor?] is [undecipherable] N^o 13. That of [undecipherable] N. Rice is [undecipherable] N^o [undecipherable: 14?] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is Lt. Col. N^o 15. That [undecipherable] to comprehend the companies [undecipherable] be raised in New Hampshire, Vermont [undecipherable] Rhode Island N^o 16. It also appeared proper to adopt [undecipherable] whatever it might be, for the [undecipherable] of the numbering of the Regiments [undecipherable] would be permanently [undecipherable: convenient?], and in future cases would [undecipherable] [undecipherable] effect. This would [undecipherable] have been the case if the relative rank of the first commandants of the Regiments was to govern. When Regiment [undecipherable] (for example) lost its commandant by promotion, death, resignation or [undecipherable: dis]mission, his successor would be the senior of all the Lt. Colonels, and the Regiment would either lose its [undecipherable: action?], originally acquired by the accidental rank of its commandant, or it would claim [undecipherable], in contradiction of that rule, [undecipherable] commandant was the junior. junior of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] this [undecipherable: incongruity?], the [undecipherable: commandants?], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] removed, so that N^o 2 [undecipherable] bec[ome?] N^o 1. the dislocation would be [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] injurious effects. All the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] be derived from the attachment & confidence of office. and soldier [undecipherable] [undecipherable] particular commander would [undecipherable: frequently?] be lost in the midst of a [undecipherable: campaign?], and the discipline of all the corps [undecipherable] & not fail to suffer [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to change. A [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] moreover were employed in [undecipherable] armies in extreme parts of the U.S. [undecipherable] commandants would be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] constantly [undecipherable: itinerant?], [undecipherable: leaping?] from army to another. It was for these [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that I was induced to adopt a [undecipherable: system?] [undecipherable] numbering the Regiments. [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] the sanction of [undecipherable] was [undecipherable] [undecipherable] delay to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable], and [undecipherable] the relative rank of the [undecipherable] Colonels & [undecipherable] be hereafter settled. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] (U S) With great respect I have to honor to be &.