Five Officers Viz. Major Martlett—Captains Paulint—Marna & Caulesage & Lt Victor—with fourteen Men, Nineteen Women, and forty six Children, are returned Monthly as Canadian Refugees in fish Kill & its Vicinity and draw Provisions from the Public.

The Secretary at War has desired that an Officer might be appointed to examine into the State of these people—and as you are on the Spot I am to desire you to undertake this business.

You will therefore be pleased to examine & report to me the number & condition of these people with their respective Claims to public assistance—so that a judgement may be formed whether all, or which of them, are entitled to the allowance above mentiond—I am &c.