Having thus, in general, mentioned the ideas which have arisen on the subject, we beg to leave the matter to your consideration, and take the liberty of proposing the following queries, after further stating that it has been thought that it would be expedient, in case of a reform, to lessen the number of regiments so as to make fewer commissioned officers and privates in the regiments. It has been supposed that a considerable saving would arise from this measure, by not having so many officers in full pay, with their horses, servants, baggage, and other consequent expenses in the field. Or if they remain in quarters from want of commands, they are in a situation disagreeable to their own feelings, and uselessly expensive to the public. We presume that gentlemen qualified for staff officers, and that artificers and other persons employed by the staff department, should not come into the calculation, as the officers at the head of those departments should be enabled to carry on their business without taking men from the line, a practice introduced from necessity, very prejudicial to discipline, and productive of pernicious consequences by lessening the effective force of the army. Quere 1. Is a reduction of the number of the officers and men, as fixed by the last arrangement, expedient or proper? 2. How can the reduction be brought about, consistently with the good of the service? and what arrangement should be made in consequence of this resolution? The answer to the above queries will no doubt include the number of men necessary for the next campaign, and the organization of them so as to designate the numbers of regiments, and the numbers in those regiments, both of commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates, as well regimentally as by companies. The expediency of having fewer regiments of artillery and horse, and of consolidating the independent corps, will also, we presume, come into your Excellency's consideration. 3. What periods of enlistment, under present circumstances, are most proper to be adopted? 4. What regulation can be made to modify the practice of taking servants from the line by officers? and, on this head we beg leave to submit to your opinion a copy of a motion made in Congress on this subject. 5. What is to be done with officers by brevet, or those who have no particular commands? Can they not be placed in the regiments, or retire on half pay? 6. Would it be practicable, consistent with justice, and the good of the service, to call into actual service officers who have retired on half pay, by the former arrangement, to fill vacancies happening in the lines to which they respectively belong? We have the honor to be, with much regard, &c. ROBERT MORRIS, RICHARD PETERS. * * * * * GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.