Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 to Henry Knox

Called on Mr. [Stephen?] Higginson about a bill, but he declined accepting it. Received a letter from Colonel Tyler on his tour of Knox's Maine lands. Says "he will write you again respecting the conduct of some persons on the patent and the manner they are waisting [sic] and distroying [sic] your property." Wants to pay Tyler $2 per day for his 52 days of work. Heard that Congress is bringing forward a new militia law. Wants Knox to keep him in mind for any appointments. Declares "I am desirous of being in a permanent & respectable situation of fifteen hundred or a thousand dollars a year." Believes the federal government must divide the militia up into 4 grand divisions and appoint a Major General and a Deputy Adjutant General (with the rank of Brigadier General) to each. Also wants an "A.D. General" to reside at the seat of government. Wants the great officers appointed by the president and paid by the federal government, but the subordinate officers to be appointed and paid by the states. Says "some such plan as this will give a respectable and efficient Militia - the present is only a rope of sand."