Moore formed Sev^ regiments, as the Old ones were overgrown he divided the province into Two Districts, giving me the Command from the frontiers to the Highlamds as Brigadier General (which in fact was no preferment it was going backwards) What was done with respect to the Militia was really Necessary in order to make them decent and respectable, I however heard sometime ago of farther Intentions of his, wch I can't say much for, but perhaps I was misinforuied, Much favor WEis Shewn to certain persons in these Appointments but what I have principally to obseive at present, is, that there seems to be a Law necessarj-^ for inforcing Obedience

956 MANUSCRIPTS OF

& subjecting them to fines, as I understand some insinuate that the pres' Militia bill can't operate or Extend to the New Reg^ tho' I should think otherwise & that it must Extend to all the Militia that shall be in the Province, This you can easily explain to me. Sir H Moore Expressed his desire of putting the Militia upon a more regular footing than formerly, he politely sent me blank Commissions for sev^ Regiments (as Indeed all the Gov" have done) & he paid regard to my Recommendations in favor of sevi of the field Officers, but in some Instances that Method & Uniformity was forgotten . Some Whole Reg'^ were formed within the Dis^ of my Command, without even my knowledge, neither do I as yet know their bounds, and I am told M"" Schyler of Albany who seemed to Influence much in these Matters ^ot some principal Officers Commissions, who really were not Extremely fitting for it ; In the Regiment of Horse 1 have heard of a Majors being appointed that is by no means equal to Sev' persons I could Mention, I should be glad to recomend to you for this Majority L* Augustin Prevost late of the 60th Regt who is settled & has a good property near Cherry Valley, There is a Vacancy also of a Major in Col Sternberghs Reg*, at ^cohare, for which I take the liberty to recomend Peter B Vrooman who was Mentioned to S"^ Henry who promised to send his Commission but his death prevented.