[draft] Fishkill 26 Octob 1782 Sr When in Philadelphia last winter & since my return I have been some times in company where the conversation has occasionally turned on the necessity there will be of keeping standing forces in the country after the peace, & it was with concern I found some in authority, as well as others, looked on them as unnecessary, & their place well supplied by militia, a doctrine which, should it prevail, may, I fear, be highly pernicious to this country, for tho, while [inserted: we] retain our senses, we shall have little occasion, of quarrel with any european power, yet our being in a very defenseless state may in [terne] induce some to attack us; yet it is a doctrine that may be highly palatable to numbers, as entirely forcing them from the heavy expense occasioned by the present war. As during upwards of thirty years service I have had many opportunities of making observations on & duly considering what relates to military matters, I have ventured to make some observations on the subject, & to propose a scheme [2] for keeping up a small body of regular troops, but on a supposition that the principal [objects] on will arise from the expense rather than danger to our constitution I have had an eye chiefly to economy, which I have earned as far as possible, without frustrating, in a great measure, the end proposed; having always a small body of officers & men so well disciplined as readily to instruct a larger number when requisite. Unwilling to rely entirely on my own judgment I take the liberty of troubling you with the rough draught & requesting your sentiments before I transcribe it, & communicate it to some member of Congress, or other person in authority. The many civilities I have received from you induce me to hope you will excuse this freedom & do me the justice to believe me with respect Sr Your most obedt Servt. Lewis Nicola Col Inv. [address] To Majr Genl Knox Commanding at West Point [docket] from Colonel Nickola from Colonel N[text loss] 26 October 178[3] October 1782