[Pages wholly or in part illegible — some pages of this file could not be enhanced or replaced with a better copy] [Page 2 — largely undecipherable; endorsement/wrapper notation at top right:] [Col. for [undecipherable]] [Private] [undecipherable,] [undecipherable,] [17]9[?] Dear Sir. [undecipherable] ined a few up [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the 23^d mil[?]. The question whether or not soldiers shou'd be entitled to obtain [undecipherable: servants?] has been some time under con-sideration. It appears to me a clear point that the resolution of Congress [?] of March [?] which allows officers [undecipherable] so is not in force, and conse-quently cannot be an authority with regard to the expediency of admitting the practice on principle I have strong doubts. I fear that it might lead to the abuse of compensations, for nominal servants, while the [undecipherable] would still be the real ones. [undecipherable] of vicious [undecipherable], in the hurry of a campaign might inspire to [undecipherable]. I question too, whether [undecipherable] it would be adviseable to comp[undecipherable] the public expense by [undecipherable] [persons?] of this description. I would advise [undecipherable] hangers [undecipherable] nor [undecipherable] raise [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] see no reason however why you shou'd [undecipherable] yourself of his presence. You [undecipherable] be entitled to a soldier from the [undecipherable] who. There can be no doubt, that [undecipherable] absences become necessary, but [undecipherable] Pinckney, who will quarter near the troops, will very readily grant it. Major General Hamilton was authorised last March to settle either provisionally or definitively the rank of the company officers of the 12 new Regiments. This done I intended the [undecipherable] shou'd [undecipherable] according to the usual [undecipherable] of promotion. I collect from your lett[er?] that the relative rank of your company officers is not yet determined. This being the case I can have no objection to see [undecipherable] Govern[undecipherable] the last of the grades to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ought not to [undecipherable] merit a chan[ce?] to be [undecipherable] to those of greater. [undecipherable] I [undecipherable] recommended by yourself I am D[undecipherable] [undecipherable] your James McH[undecipherable: McHenry?] [Left margin notations — undecipherable] [A Col. to [undecipherable: Carsce?] Hall]