To Capt. William Dandridge and the Henrico junior Volunteer infantry attached to the 33d. regiment of Virginia Militia.

The offer of your service in supporting the rights of your country merits & meets the highest praise; & whenever the moment arrives in which these rights must appeal to the public arm for support, the spirit from which your offer flows, that which animates a nation, will be their sufficient Safeguard.

Having required from the Governors of the several States their certain quotas of militia to be ready for service, & recommended at the same time [. . . .] preference of Volunteers under the acts of Congress & particularly that of the 24th. of Feby. 1807. the acceptance & organisation of such volunteers has been delegated to them.

Tendering therefore the thanks of our country so justly deserved for all offers of service made to me, I must add that it is necessary to renew them to the Governor of the State for the purposes of acceptance & organisation

I salute you with great respect.