I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency & the Honorable the Coucil, a Return of the Pennsylvania Troops in the Service of the United States, dated this day.
The Secretary at war informs me that Congress, by their Act of the 3d October last, have been pleased to call upon the same States to raise the same number of men for three years, in order that the present officers might be retained in service.
By Mr. Melchior your Excellency’s Letter was received, likewise one from the honorable, the Vice president, General Mifflin, & the honorable Charles Biddle, Esq., the Secretary; all in favor of this young Gentleman for the appointment of an Ensigncy. Previous to the receipt of these Letters I was induced in my Letter of the 7th August to recommend to your Excellency, Mr. Robert Thomson, a Son of the late General Thomson’s, to fill the first vacancy. He was warmly recommended to me by General Irvin & several others of his acquaintance.
From the powerful recommendations in favour of Mr. Melchior, it would be presumption in me to urge the matter further, as the appointments rest solely with our honorable body.
If it meets the approbation of your Excellency & the honorable Council, the following is the new arrangement which I wish to take place in our State, for the 1st United States Regiment, viz.