At a reasonable Time after the Furloughs of Non-Commissioned Officers & Soldiers expire, they are consider’d as Deserters, & so accounted for, by which means, in my Opinion, others ought to be indulged with the Benefit of Furloughs, in the same Manner, as if the Men first furlough’d, had returned to Camp. Genl Putnam declines giving Furloughs to any, unless the Men previously furlough’d have actually return’d, which, is considering Deserter[s as] on Furlough, by which, the next Man entitled to a Furlough, is depriv’d of the Benefit, which he considers as a manifest Injury. I wish to know the Opinion of the Commander in chief, on the Subject, as I have many Applications made to me for Recommendations for Furloughs, which I think ought to be granted. I am Sir Your most Obedt