[Administrative annotations at top of page 1:] [W^r received May 7. 1799] [# 149.] [W^m K Blue / member Washington's Regt / Major Batⁿ / Laurans] New York May 7. 1799 Sir, In the [undecipherable] Schedule of Officers for the Regiment, which you sent me, Captains Washington to [undecipherable] are both numbered Eight. This of course is a mistake — will you enable me to rectify it — in order that [they?] may effectually know their relative [standing?]. I suppose [the] original reported by the Commander in Chief will affect the decision. Col Parker writes me that [undecipherable] Morgan will not accept, and [strikethrough: strongly] recommends in his place, Laurans Butler [undecipherable] as Major, who, he states, [served?] with distinction [in?] our Revolutionary War as Captain in one of the [undecipherable] Regiments. My confidence in Col Parker, who is [undecipherable] in the field of his Regiment, induces me freely to second the recommendation. Col Smith also recommends as Major in place of M^r Hutton who has declined [undecipherable] Theodo[undecipherable: Theodosius?] Fowler Esq^r [who] in the Same War [undecipherable] Captain in the [N.?] York line, and who is a man of good [undecipherable: character?] political principles and property. I believe he [is] eligible [as?] appointment as circumstances permit [to be] made — I shall be glad to see [that?] these appointments promptly made, as nothing is more material to speedily filling vacancies to keep the Organization [of] each corps complete. W^m K Blue Esquire who [undecipherable] with distinction in the [undecipherable] army, is warmly recommended by Col Parker as Captain [of a?] [undecipherable] of [Horse?]. It [is?] my [undecipherable: recollection?] that he [undecipherable] in the nomination [of?] Commander in Chief. I request [to be] informed of the [undecipherable] — I do not find among [his?] [undecipherable] [on?] any list of the Officers of the Additional [undecipherable] [...will] you be pleased to have it [for]warded? I promised M^r Jones [to give] you a memorandum of the number of printed copies of [undecipherable] and weekly returns which it wou[ld] be expedient to [send?] to the Several commandants of the Regiments. Will you be [so good?] to direct him to forward[s?] — [undecipherable] copies of [undecipherable] [when?] to weekly to each Commandant — three hundred of each of [those?] returns of recruits — and to add to [undecipherable] thirteen copies of the Articles of War. Col Stevens has renewed his [requ]ests as to his compensation. I am anxious that this [matter?] as to the duties he is to perform, which is connected with [undecipherable] — the duties he is to perform [for] general [undecipherable] under consideration, should be determined. [undecipherable] The orderly and prosperous course of the Service can only be the result of a good organization. And it is in every [undecipherable] desirable to begin to lay the foundations well. [undecipherable] the above — I have been honored with your letter of the 6^th instant [?] [O]n review of the 7^th [Section?] of the [Act?] to ascertain and [undecipherable] the Military Establishment of the U States, I am of opinion that the construction which you had adopted is maintainable on point of [undecipherable] propriety and that it is expedient to adhere to. I request that Capt. Bru[sh?]'s instructions may be altered accordingly. [strikethrough: It has] It has been well determined that none but natives shall be enlisted for the [artil]lery. I earnestly [undecipherable] this rule was adopted [for] the [undecipherable] of Artillery. It is extremely important the corps shall be well composed and [efficient?] — [undecipherable] have every ground of [undecipherable] to its fidelity. With great [undecipherable] I have the honor to be — [signature] [Sec^y of War]