Major Platt having signified to me his intentions to quit my department, I immediately sought for a suitable character for the office of deputy quarter master to the main army; and after due inquiry, have fixed on lieut. colo. Dearborn. He has consented to serve: but being in the line of the army, he cannot be taken from thence without your Excellency’s approbation, which I now solicit. The act of Congress to this point I beg leave to inclose.

As the regiment to which lieut. colo. Dearborn belongs is small, & has two other field officers, I thought no lieutenant colonel could, on these accounts, with less inconvenience be spared from the line. Should my choice meet with your Excellency’s approbation, I request you will be pleased to direct the resignation of Major Platt, & the appointment of lieut. colo. Dearborn, to be announced in the general orders of to–morrow. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your Excellency’s most obedt servant