War Dep^t. 31 July 1799 Sir, I have been honoured with your [interlinear: yesterday] two letters d^ated the 23^d — July instant. Enclosed is a letter from Major Gen Pinckney [strikethrough: with] [interlinear: wherein] see a copy of my answer, also a copy of my letter to Lt. Colonels Rice & [undecipherable] and a list from Massachusetts of the candidates, which have offered for [strikethrough: the offices of the appointments] of Surgeons and mates. It has appeared to me, that [strikethrough: it was under] those circumstances [strikethrough: but no choice] do not require at this juncture [strikethrough] that recourse [strikethrough: should be had] to the act to regulate the medical establishment [strikethrough: or bring] [strikethrough: into action] [strikethrough: of troops] — [strikethrough] [interlinear: has] to the appointment [strikethrough] of officers it provided, for the complete organization of the army. For some time to come the Surgeons & mates allowed to each Regiments — particularly [were?] be sufficient to the care of [them?] sick and field or occasions when they can be attended — hospitals, are that [nice?] be wanted. I should therefore advise no appointment of medical [interlinear: for the present] that appointments be confined to the Regimental Surgeons and mates. The act to augment the army of the U.S. and for other purposes [strikethrough: passed the passed?] [interlinear: the] 16 July 1798 provides for the appointment, to the armies of the U.S. [strikethrough: of Chaplains]. This of course would give one to every four regts of Infantry, and none to the Artillery & Cavalry. The situation of the 4 old [interlinear: and a portion of the Artillery & Cavalry extended along] Regiments of Infantry, on the North Western frontier, [strikethrough: the] Mississippi & the borders of Tennessee & Georgia and the [strikethrough] is such as to [strikethrough: would] prevent [the?] regular discharge but it [precludes?] of any [strikethrough] from being usefull [strikethrough: to any great] [interlinear: number] of [those corps?]. I should therefore [consider?] it as precluded, [by] from the peculiarity of their disposition [strikethrough] from the [service?] intended by the act. It will be different with the twelve new regiments. [interlinear: when drawn to the stations] [strikethrough: when raised?] [strikethrough] [interlinear: it is contemplated] to station [undecipherable] in Massachusetts three at Brunswick in New Jersey 3 at [undecipherable] Ferry — and three in the vicinity of Augusta [above the?] [falls of?] Savannah [at?] — each division [& with proximity?] may be accommodated with a Chaplain. It may therefore, though [their appointments?] will not be necessary [strikethrough] [shall be] raised, be proper to consider among the candidates who have offered from each district [for the troops to be stationed within it?] to fill this office, those [who may?] be known to [solicit?] no appointment in order, [that] the selection being made, the troops may immediately upon being drawn to their respective Stations, have the benefit of [strikethrough] religious instruction.