"His advice in the formation of a list of officers would be extremely desirable to me. The names of Lincoln, Morgan, Knox, Hamilton, Gates, Pinckney, Lee, Carrington, Hand, Muhlenberg, Dayton, Burr, Brooks, Cobb, Smith, as well as the present Commander-in-chief, may be mentioned to him, and any others that occur to you. Particularly, I wish to have his opinion on the men most suitable for inspector general, adjutant general, and quarter master general. "His opinion on all subjects would have great weight, and I wish you to obtain from him as much of his reflections upon the times and the service as you can." The communications between General Washington and the secretary of war appear to have been full and unreserved. The impressions of the former respecting the critical and perilous situation of his country had previously determined him to yield to the general desire, and accept the commission offered him, provided he could be permitted to select for the high departments of the army, and especially for the military staff, those in whom he could place the greatest confidence. Being assured that there was every reason to believe his wishes in this respect would not be thwarted, he gave to the secretary the arrangement[57] which he would recommend for the principal stations in the army; and, on the 13th of July, addressed the following letter to the President. [Footnote 57: _The following is the list of generals, and of the military staff._ Alexander Hamilton, _Inspector_. Charles C. Pinckney, } Henry Knox, or, if either refuses } Major Generals. Henry Lee. } Henry Lee (if not Major General) } John Brooks, } William S. Smith, or } Brigadiers. John E. Howard. } Edward Hand, or } Jonathan Dayton, or } Adjutant General. William S. Smith. } Edward Carrington, Quarter Master General. James Craik, Director of the Hospital.] "I had the honour, on the evening of the 11th instant, to receive from the hands of the secretary at war, your favour of the seventh, announcing that you had, with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed me Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief of the armies raised or to be raised for the service of the United States. "I can not express how greatly affected I am at this new proof of public confidence, and at the highly flattering manner in which you have been pleased to make the communication. At the same time, I must not conceal from you my earnest wish that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years, and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of war.