[undecipherable] New York May 13. 1799 Sir It is urgent that arms [undecipherable] for the troops to be raised be at the respective Regimental rendezvous as speedily as possible. Military [pride?] is to be excited and kept up by military parade. [undecipherable] No time [undecipherable] to be lost in teaching the Recruits the use of arms. Guards are necessary as soon as there are soldiers and these require arms. When I came to [see?] the hats [last?] furnished for the Twelfth Regiment I was disappointed and disgusted. The Commander in Chief recommended cocked hats. This always means hats cocked on three [sides?]. I was assured that cocked hats were [to be?] provided. I repeated the assurance to the Officers. But the hats received are only capable of being cocked [undecipherable] on one [side?], and they are in other respects [undecipherable] and the brims [undecipherable] so narrow as to [afford?] neither [a good?] appearance nor utility. They are [useless?] without cockades and loops. Nothing is more necessary than to Stimulate the vanity of soldiers. — To this end a [neat?] [dress?] is essential. When not attended to, the soldier is [exposed?] to [undecipherable] and humiliation. [If?] the [undecipherable] articles provided to them are defective in quality or appearance, they become dissatisfied; and the [officers have?] too much [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [neglects?] of [soldiers?] [undecipherable] the public delinquency towards them [is?] [a?] [undecipherable] bar to the enforcement of discipline. The Government of the Country is not now [undecipherable] in the Situation in which it was during [the?] Revolution War. It possesses amply the means of placing its military on a respectable footing; and if it does not act in [undecipherable] conformity with the situation the [undecipherable] [disadvantage?] will greatly [accelerate?] and its dignity and its interest equally require that it shall act in conformity with this [Situation?]. & This course is indispensable if a faithful [good?] and well regulated army is thought necessary to the [defense?] and Security or defense of the country. With great respect I have the honor to be Y^r [obedient servant?] [signature] [To the [Secretary?] of [War?] / [May?] [13?]. 1799] [G. M[c?]. H[enry?] S[?].]