I have been favored with your Letter of the 25 Inst. together with the several Enclosures, by your Dragoon the day before yesterday— prior business prevented my dispatching him, untill this time.

It gives me great pleasure to find by the Papers transmitted in your Letter, that no part of the embarrassment and distresses of your Troop is owing to want of attention or care in you— but on the contrary that you have made use of every proper application & exertion to put your Corps, on a respectable footing for taking the field with reputation to themselves, and a prospect of advantage to the Public. We have only to lament, that the circumstances have been such, as to prevent your efforts from being attended with the desired success.

I must confess, I can see no reason why the men of your Troop, if they are considered and credited as part of the Quota of Pennsylvania, should not be entitled to the same pay, depreciation of pay, and all other emoluments, which have been granted to the other Troops raised in that State. As it is certainly reasonable, and highly expedient, I cannot but hope the State, or Congress, upon farther representation, will take up the matter again, and do something effectual to relieve the present wants of the Corps, as well as make a more permanent provision for the Officers & men of it.

With respect to remounting your dismounted Dragoons, with tolerably good Horses, I fear there will be almost insuperable obstacles in the way. It is true the Quarter Master General has been ordered long since to purchase Horses to mount the several Corps of Cavalry, but the misfortune is, money has been and still is wanting. All that can be done at present is to direct him to supply the best Horses in his possession, for this service, untill better can be obtained for you, which I sincerely wish may be soon effected, as I consider your Troop of essential utility to the Army— having had ample experience of their fidelity and promptness in executing their duty on every occasion.

I will rely upon your zeal & activity to do, every thing that can be done, to put your Corps immediately in as good Order as possible for taking the field, the moment you shall receive Orders to March. I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servt