War Department 10 May 1800 Sir. I do myself the honour to present schedules, shewing the vacancies in the 1^st & 2^d Regiments of Artillerists & Engineers, and the 3^d Regiment of Infantry, on the permanent military establishment of the United States, together with the cadets in the Corps of Artillerists, and the names of all the Gentlemen recommended for lieutenancies in the same, with the letters recommending them. In making the selection to fill the vacancies, in the Regiments of Artillerists & Engineers, it was most respectfully submitted, whether it would not be proper, and an expectation I may not be indulged, that the cadets attached to them, who possess seniority or merit or both, seem to possess a claim to attention, should be considered. Major Tousard has repeatedly spoken of the capacity and attainments of Cadets Landais, and Wilsons Cadet Morrison is recommended by General Pinckney. Zealously by General Wilkinson. Mostly by Gen. [undecipherable], and the very [undecipherable] respectable [undecipherable] who is apparently [undecipherable] of the most considerable promise. The Secretary had also contemplated, the period, when the twelve new [undecipherable] of Infantry should be disbanded for filling the vacancies as well in the Artillery as in the Infantry on the old establishment, in order that the President might reward with the vacant commissions, the most meritorious young Officers of the disbanding Regiments, among whom a selection would be guided by an actual experience of ser-[undecipherable], of real and relative desert, drawn from the best sources. It was thought by him, that the Regiments in which the vacancies existed, could not suffer materially by the intended procrastination of appointments to fill them, and that altho' delay might occasion some complaints, among expectants and their [undecipherable], the principles of economy, [undecipherable] [marginalia: awa[undecipherable]] [marginalia: opp[undecipherable]] [marginalia: to] become a prevailing public sentiment, and [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] of military officers, and advancements of the service appeared to speak in favour of the measure. The Secretary has also forborne to recommend, the filling of the offices in the additional battalion of Artillerists, from an expectation, that the plan proposed for a military Academy, and a modification consequent thereon of the existing [undecipherable] of Artillerists and Engineers would have been adopted by Congress at their present session. And as he cannot persuade himself [undecipherable] that the military Academy will not yet be established, by the authority [undecipherable], and probably at their next meeting — he would with [undecipherable] suggest a further postponement. It will be recollected, that the plan proposed, contemplated a corps of Engineers — and that the battalion of [Artil-]lerists provided for, was not to be officered or raised — and an existing battalion of the same to be reduced. [Undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of the President under present circumstances, to appoint [undecipherable] Lee, to the 2^d Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers, the Secretary respectfully reports — that Major ^Lewis Tousand is the oldest Major of Artillerists in service. It is certainly of great importance to have the Office of Inspector of Artillery filled by a gentleman perfectly qualified to discharge all its duties, in all their combinations and details. It has been the very importance of the office that has hitherto kept it vacant — aided by a known expectation of being able to obtain from abroad the best qualified person to fill it. Should the idea of inviting from abroad an Inspector of Artillery be relinquished, it is with deference submitted, that the selection of a character to fill it may with propriety be referred to the succeeding Secretary of War — particularly when the intimate connexion that [undecipherable] exist between the Inspector of Artillery and the War Department is duly considered. I have the honour to be with the [most perfect] consideration, [Sir] Your most ob[edient] [undecipherable] James McHenry John Adams, President of the United States