Taking it for granted the principle is generally understood, that an Officer holding a Commission in the Line of the Army of a superior grade, to that he possesses in a particular Corps, is to roll on all general duties agreeably to his Commission in the Army, and to be considered in the Line of the State to which he belongs, according to the rank he holds in Corps of that State; the following questions will then arise in the case of Majr Sumner, who is also a Captain in the 3d Masstts Regt—supposing him to be put on the Roster with the Majors of the Line, and take his tour as such in all general details for Detachment, Courts Martial, Officer of the Day &c., what specific Duties shall he perform, at the same time, as Captain in the Massachusetts Line? for example, ought he to be detailed as Captain of Police in the Brigade to which he belongs, in the present mode of doing Duty, when the Officer of Police reports to the Field Officer of the Day, or not? How are the different Duties, to which an Officer in that predicament is subjected, to be reconciled? or when those Duties shall interfere, which is to supercede the other?

I desire your opinions collectively in writing on these points of Service, as soon as conveniently may be, and am Gentlemen Your Most Obedient Servant