I have duly recieved your letter of Dec. 24. conveying a tender, by the officers, noncommissioned officers & privates of the Saratoga rangers, of their voluntary services to support the constitution, laws, & integrity of our country, when the Constitutional authorities shall declare it necessary, and I now, on the public behalf return them thanks for this example of patriotic spirit always a friend to peace, & believing it to promote eminently the happiness & prosperity of mankind, I am ever unwilling that it should be disturbed until greater & more imperious interests call for an appeal to force. whenever that shall take place, I feel a perfect confidence that the energy & enterprize displayed by my fellow citizens in the pursuits of peace, will be equally eminent in those of war. the legislature have now under consideration, in what manner, & to what extent, the Executive may be permitted to accept the service of volunteers, should the public peace be disturbed either from without or within. in whatever way they shall give that authority the Saratoga rangers may be assured that no unreasonable use shall be made of the proffer which their laudable zeal has prompted them to make. with my acknolegements to them, I pray you to accept personally the assurance of my high consideration & respect.