War Department, Trenton, September 29^th 1799 Sir, I have received your letter dated the 17^th Instant and shall not fail to give the project of regulations it contained, a candid & liberal a consideration as possible. You will however be pleased to direct a stop to be put to the issue of Rations to the Children of Soldiers, because such issues had gone into abuse, and I know of no law that authorizes them; they are besides extra ordinary Estimates. The prohibition will certainly be felt as a great hardship, in particular cases and increase the requests for the want of some establishment for the support and education of Army Children. I am Sir, with great respect, Your ob^t Servant, James M^cHenry Major General Alexander Hamilton