[194] [[undecipherable: fched?]] Quincy July 25 1800 Dear Sir I received last night and read with great pleasure your letter of the 16. of July. I am very much pleased with your plan for executing the existing Laws for the instruction of the Artillerists and Engineers. I am very ready to appoint the whole number of cadets, provided for by law. viz two for each company or sixty from among all, as soon as proper candidates present themselves, and the whole of the four [undecipherable: teachers?] & two Engineers, if you are prepared to recommend suitable persons. It is my desire that you take the earliest measures, for procuring all the necessary books, instruments & apparatus as [undecipherable: authorized?] by law, for the use and benefit of the Artillerists and Engineers. I think with [undecipherable] that it will be [undecipherable: prudent?] by appointing two teachers & an engineer; & [undecipherable] to make enquiries for [undecipherable] characters, & to take measures to induce young men to enter the service; as cadets, collect them together and form a [undecipherable] school; & cause the battalions to be [undecipherable: collected?] in rotation, at some regular stations. You may assure the Cadets that in future, officers will be taken from the most deserving of their members, if any should be found fit for appointments. I agree with the Secretary of the Navy, that it would be highly useful to the Navy, that midshipmen be admitted into the school, by certain [undecipherable] yet there ought to be a school on board every frigate. Thirty persons have been taught navigation and other sciences, connected with the naval service on board the [undecipherable] during her first cruise. — I wish you may easily find teachers. What think you of Capt Barron for one? Everyone speaks well of Mr. Bureaux des [undecipherable] but I have an invincible aversion to the appointment of foreigners, if it can be avoided. It must [undecipherable] the honest pride of our officers I deem it [undecipherable] and a[undecipherable] ambition. I had [undecipherable] affair the teachers & form the school & take time to consider of an engineer Secretary of War I am Sir with great esteem