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�[state of Maine seal] State of Maine.
HEAD QUARTERS
Adjutant General's Office.
Augusta Sunday morning [inserted] May 26th 1861
Mr dea General.
Yrs of 22 + 23 int were not read until
after the [?] telegram announcing yr resignation + I felt
that a hasty epistle was not what was due you, from me, in view
of the very pleasant acquaintance + official inter[?] hitherto
existing between us. Little as I know about the details of staff
duties, I am satisfied of the very good advantage to the State +
myself, + all officers connected with the Military Depts in the
present unparalleled emergency, in availing ourselves of your
superior practical knowledge of the legitimate duties in detail
of each + all of us. It was, therefore, to me a very pleasant
reflection that you might be induced to continue in a
position that might render that knowledge available, + I
still trust that our [underlined] relations are such that you will not
withhold yr advice + counsel from myself + those connected
with us who have in good faith endeavored + under
your position endurable.

In regard to clerks at Portland, Merrill
was mistaken. The part was I think not half what he
stated. I have shown conclusively to all connected with
Head Quarters, the very great economical [underlined] necessity [underlined], of
putting all the clerks possible to be employed, upon
them Rrolls, as every [underlined] day's [underlined] continuance of that 1st Reg
upon our hands involved + expresses directly + in-
-directly of pay subsistence clothing quarters +c of $1000,
the reimbursement of which, by the Genl. Grant would
 be exceedingly difficult + yet "one purchased against
his will, remains of the same opinion still". I 
can perceive in the present imperfect method