You have been apprised of the very ⟨s⟩erious charges which were preferred by Capt. ⟨B⟩ruff against Major Rivardi. They were of a nature to render an inquiry indispensable. There did not exist at Niagara nor could be spared from any of the Posts nearer than D’Etroit a sufficient number of Officers to form the Court, and there might have been some difficulty as to adequate intelligence and impartiality. The accusations affecting the honor of a Field Officer, particular care appeared to me to be due to him and to the Service—Hence I concluded to detach for the purpose Major Hoops & Capt. Stille of the Corps of Artillerists, who, together with an Officer on the Spot, might constituted the Court.

A question respecting indemnification for their Expences occurs which, as an extraordinary case in som⟨e⟩ respects is submitted to your Judgme⟨nt⟩ upon a certificate annexed to the Acco⟨—⟩ This, and the vouchers in support of it are herewith transmitted—

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