George Washington to Henry Lee

Yr. favor dated the 27th. inst was handed to day by Capt McLane, inclosing your proposals for the incorporation of his company with your Corps. The measure is desirable, and I should be happy were it in my power at once to authorise you to proceed on the business, but not being vested with sufficient powers to [change the establishment of a Corps] the plan must be referred to Congress. In doing this no time shall be lost and I sincerely wish it may meet their approbation. When I ordered Captain McLane to join you I had not an idea of the present plan, and only meant to afford you his aid with the few men of his company; sensible of the advantage to be derived from Horse and foot acting together.

Should the corps be established as you wish you cannot entertain a thought of making new Officers (the reasons are obvious) but must furnish them from your own Corps, or from the supernumerary officers of the line now unimployed; they are numerous and no doubt many fit ones may be found.

The dismounting Dragoons inlisted for that particular service is a delicate matter and I hope you have considered it well before hand and that you do not think of taking any, but such, whose inclinations may lead them to prefer the foot service.

I am, etc.¹