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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Mount Vernon.

Subjects respectfully submitted to the consideration of the General of the armies of the United States, by the Secretary of War.2

1. Will it be proper that the President should forthwith proceed to appoint the officers to the army proposed to be immediately raised, by the bill pending before Congress, “to augment the army of the United States, and for other purposes?” Or,

Will it be expedient to defer, until the principal part of the troops are enlisted, the appointment of all the general officers of the said army, excepting the Inspector-General and such staff officers as may be necessary to the formation and discipline of regiments? Or,

Will it be better that the whole of the officers be immediately appointed, in order that as little time as possible may be lost in forming and disciplining both officers and men for actual service, noticing only to those officers, who may not be immediately wanted, that their pay, &c., will not commence till called upon to do duty with the army?

2. Will it be expedient that the President should appoint, as soon as proper characters can be selected, the officers to the ten thousand troops of the provisional army, and that they should be furnished with such instructions and orders as will enable them to proceed to enlist the men, whenever the President shall declare, by proclamation or otherwise, that the measure has become necessary?

3. May advantages be expected to result from the appointment of field officers in the respective States to take the command of such volunteer companies therein, as may offer their services to the President and be accepted, as to render such appointments advisable?

[2 ]These queries and answers do not seem to have been published before.