He objected also to the mode of effecting the reduction.

This was by leaving it to the several states to select the officers who should remain in service.

He regretted that congress had not thought proper to retain the reduction and incorporation of the regiments under their own discretion.

He regretted that it should be left to the states, not only because it was an adherence to the state system, which in the arrangements of the army, he disapproved; but because also he feared it would introduce much confusion and discontent in a business which ought to be conducted with the greatest circumspection.

He feared also that professing to _select_ the officers to be retained in service would give disgust both to those who should be discontinued, and to those who should remain.