[Pages of this document are wholly or in part illegible, as noted by the collection. Transcription follows for legible portions.] [James McHenry Esquire Secretary of War Philadelphia] [Endorsement: Gen. Hamilton] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Letter [undecipherable] March 17. 18[undecipherable] 71 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Tuesday for han[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the in[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the troops [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] him on The [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] operations not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and in the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to any troops [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a discussion and a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will certainly de[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] yet formed by [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] under dis[undecipherable] and in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and in all present the introduction of a just military fuss among them. If our troops are to be entertained, it were mis eligible for them that they would be left without any other occupation than that incident to a camp of instruction. But I am well aware that there are considerations which may oblige to a different conduct. And I have reconciled my mind to the idea of drawing them in detachments towards the provincial points to be fortified on our sea coasts, there partly to be engaged in working upon the fortifications or detachment. This will not violate preju- dices and the matter may be so managed as to leave a good deal of time for exercise. General Pinckney has also mentioned a suggestion of yours on the point of allowance to [undecipherable] General Officers and their Suites — The Substance is that General Officers should be allowed all reasonable [undecipherable] allowances & that general regulations respecting [undecipherable] compensation [undecipherable] apply to the [undecipherable] — the remarks on the difficulty of [undecipherable] separation on [undecipherable] one take must [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I think the remark well founded & do not perceive how the accommodation [undecipherable] be [undecipherable] conveniently to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it must come to practice — [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The General and the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] inevitably [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will be united in one account — and credit given in the allowances to the other in the balance, if [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to be back to the General. This would be a complication without an Agent. With true [undecipherable] & regard [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] A. Hamilton [ans d[undecipherable] Henry [undecipherable]]