I have the honour of your Excellencys favour of the twenty eighth Ult: and forwarded the inclosures to Major Parr. We are sorry to learn by the accounts transmitted by the recruiting Officers that they do not meet with the success they expected. I was apprehensive the bounty was too small, but General St Clair and Major Parr deemed it sufficient, their opinion had its due weight, expecially as it tended to lessen expence. Your Excellency may be assured that no exertion on our part shall be wanting and that your directions of marching them in small parties will be punctually observed so far as depends upon us.

We are under the disagreeable necessity of transmitting to your Excellency a letter laid before us this day. We have some reason to think a practice has too much obtained in the Artillery Corps, to discharge Men under an Idea of engaging others in their stead, which has not always been strictly attended to. Tho’ the state may be eventually interested to prevent any improper diminution of its Line we apprehend the inquiry to be of a Military nature, and therefore think proper to refer it wholly to your Excellencys order. I have the honour to be with very great respect Your Excellencys Most obedient and very humble servant