[6 June 1799 / To / Maj Gen. Hamilton.] [right margin, written vertically:] [undecipherable] [Private] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] 6 June 1799. My dear Sir Since, my confidential letter to you, [strikethrough: relative] enclosing one [undecipherable] from Mr Patterson, relative to stationing some troops at Easton, I have had verbal information, which shews, if not an [strikethrough: the stationing there of] absolute necessity for, yet that [strikethrough: the measure] [strikethrough: troops there] would [strikethrough: produce] immediate salutary effects upon the disorganising and ill disposed [strikethrough: in that neighbourhood] inhabitants of [strikethrough: the town and] neighbourhood [strikethrough: the] I [strikethrough: would] advise therefore, if no important objection [strikethrough: exists that ought to prevent it,] [strikethrough: occurs that the troops ordinarily destined for the present station or an equivalent force,] [strikethrough: Easton] be sent [strikethrough: thither or an equivalent force.] I had written the above when I [undecipherable] your letter returning Mr Patterson's letter. Easton [undecipherable] I have understood [strikethrough: is a place] to be [strikethrough: inhabited with] [undecipherable: by people?] [strikethrough: well affected] [strikethrough: disposed] to the Government. It is certain the officers who command the troops sent to [undecipherable] in the disaffected country ought to be vigilant and [undecipherable — heavily struck through] [undecipherable] is not the case the consequences you suggest will be more or less experienced.