New York Sept. 21st 1799 Sir You are appointed to superintend a recruiting party which is to carry on its operations in the State of Vermont. The Offices at fort have been directed to repair to Bennington to take your orders. The State of Vermont is now divided into three subdistricts. One, comprising the Counties of Windham and Windsor of which Westminster in the County of Windham is the rendezvous. Another comprising the Counties of Bennington, Rutland and Addison, of which Rutland in the County of Rutland is the rendezvous. The third comprising the residue of the State of which Newbury is the Rendezvous. Three companies are at present recruiting in this State for the sixteenth Regiment. You are in the first instance to recruit for two Companies for the second Regiment and for this purpose you will prefer those two of the subdistricts which can best supply men. You will be careful that the operations of your Officers are directed towards parts of the Country which will [2] least interfere with the recruiting for the 16th regiment, and you will with this view maintain a harmonious communication with the Officer who superintends the recruiting service for this Regiment. Lieut. Richmond is to act as Pay and Quarter Master to the party, and accordingly will receive and distribute agreably [sic] to your orders in writing money and all other supplies to those of the Officers who shall be employed in recruiting. You will, of course, understand that the operations of the recruiting Officers are not to be confined to the rendezvouses [sic] which have been named, but are to extend throughout the subdistricts. The men however as fast as they shall be raised are to be brought to the Rendezvous of each subdistrict, there to be supplied with cloathing [sic] etc. and taught their Exercise. A part of the Officers may remain at each rendezvous to receive and to train the recruits. In each subdistrict, one should be appointed according to [3] seniority to take the Command. As several of these officers have been newly appointed, perhaps some of them the same day, it may happen that their relative rank is in some instances unsettled. In such cases you will fix it temporarily and provisionally, and report for my sanction; letting the Officers understand, that the arrangement is limited to the particular service and will have no influence in the final settlement of their relative rank. Elijah Paine Esquire (of Bennington I believe) is agent for the War Department and has had the charge of making Contracts for the supply of Rations and Object in the Quarter Master's Department within the State of Vermont. He will inform you who is the Contractor. The Object of Quarter master's supply which he is to furnish, are Quarters, Transportation, forage, fuel, straw and stationary; and, until a surgeon shall be annexed to the party, he will procure medical assistance. You will make arrangements with him for the supply of the party under your direction. [4] Other articles, than those above enumerated, will be furnished by the proper Officers at Philadelphia. You are at liberty to hire temporary Drummers and fifers, two for each Company if they can be had at the rate of Eight dollars per month and rations without cloathing [sic]. You will find herewith four setts [sic] of "Rules and Regulations respecting the recruiting service". The Blanks in No. 1 are filled as a model. There are also two setts [sic] of the Articles of War and the principal laws respecting our military establishment. You will receive from the Adjutant General's Office forms of returns which are to be punctually attended to. You will constantly advise me of every occurrence worth attention. With great consideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servant Alex. Hamilton