To James Madison from John Cook, 28 November 1811
From John Cook
New Markett Fr. County 28 No⟨v.⟩ 1811
Sir
I observe in your instructions to Congress you wish for Volunteers, and having the honor to Command a Company of Horse they as well as my officers have expressed a wish to me to present them to you as a part of that patriotic band which is always ready to Support so good a goverment.1 I must at the same time solicite a favour, which permit me to hope will be granted, that is for U States to loan us Forty Swords and pistols, as your Excellency is well aware that it is impossible to make soilders acquainted with the Military tacktic without arms & Am Sir Your Very Obedt Sert
John Cook Captn
New Markets Light Dragoons
RC (DNA: RG 107, LRUS, C-1811).
1. In acknowledging Cook’s letter, Eustis expressed the thanks of the president and assured him that his offer would be remembered “when the Constitutional Authorities shall direct the energies of Our Nation to a specific object” (Eustis to Cook, 9 Dec. 1811 [DNA: RG 107, LSMA]).