I have been favoured with your Letter of this date.

I am always willing to grant requests where I think the good of the service will admit of it, and I am particularly so, when the requests are urged by Others besides the party, in whose behalf they are made. However, in the present instance of your application, I cannot do it with any degree of propriety, as I conceive. Colo. Kosciusko has had the chief direction and superintendence of the Works at West point, and it is my desire, that he should remain to carry them on. New plans & alterations at this time, would be attended with many inconveniences, and protract the defences of the River. These possibly in some degree, might take place in case of his absence, under the management of Another Engineer. With respect to Colo. Hay, he will be of very essential service here, and I cannot consent to his leaving Camp, while the Army continues in its present position and under it’s present circumstances. I am Sir Your Most Obedt servt