Having maturely considered the bill to alter and amend an act, entitled "An act to ascertain and fix the Military Establishment of the United States," which was presented to me on the twenty-second day of this month, I now return it to the House of Representatives, in which it originated, with my objections. _First._ If the bill passes into a law, the two companies of light dragoons will be, from that moment, _legally_ out of service, though they will continue afterwards _actually_ in the service; and for their services during this interval, namely, from the time of _legal_ to the time of _actual_ discharge, it will not be lawful to pay them, unless some future provision be made by law. Though they may be discharged at the pleasure of Congress, in justice they ought to receive their pay, not only to the time of passing the law, but at least to the time of their actual discharge. _Secondly._ It will be inconvenient and injurious to the public to dismiss the light dragoons as soon as notice of the law can be conveyed to them, one of the companies having been lately destined to a necessary and important service. _Thirdly._ The companies of light dragoons consist of one hundred and twenty-six non-commissioned officers and privates, who are bound to serve as dismounted dragoons when ordered so to do. They have received, in bounties, about two thousand dollars; one of them is completely equipped, and above half of the non-commissioned officers and privates have yet to serve more than one-third of the time of their enlistment; and, besides, there will, in the course of the year, be a considerable deficiency in the complement of infantry intended to be continued. Under these circumstances, to discharge the dragoons does not seem to comport with economy. _Fourthly._ It is generally agreed that some cavalry, either militia or regular, will be necessary; and, according to the best information I have been able to obtain, it is my opinion that the latter will be less expensive and more useful than the former in preserving peace between the frontier settlers and the Indians, and, therefore, a part of the Military Establishment should consist of cavalry. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, _February_ 28, 1797. On motion, "_Resolved_, That to-morrow be assigned for the reconsideration of the said bill, in the mode prescribed by the Constitution of the United States." The question to concur was put and carried--40 to 37. WEDNESDAY, March 1. _Military Establishment._ Mr. GALLATIN wished the bill for fixing the Military Establishment, which had been returned by the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, with his objections, to be taken up.