.ODk3.NTIyMQ

�in which the various staff duties are performed at Portland, the utter [underlined] confusion there would [underlined] have reigned [underlined], had you [underlined] not inaugurated a system, which present incumbents are enrolled, + thru the blanks N books created by you + measurably to carry out.

I commenced with an apology for not answering earlier yr letters but [?] all of it, which is, that I had been preparing order blankets +c for re enlistments + for the discharge + payment of 20 undesignated com- panies, the temporary paymasters of which, Wildes Miller (of Portland)) Chase (of here) Sabine (Bangor) + Dylan (of Calais) being entirely ignorant of the business, I had to instruct, not withstanding I am almost as ignorant as they are. I prepared + had printed, one page + found so much was omitted that I then got up a letter to each, of 4 pages more, working almost all 4 nights to accomplish the work.

The Gn- has had a letter from Cameron, Secy of War, "impressing upon you (him) in advance,the "necessity of our absolute adherence in your (his) appointments, " to the following suggestions, which are deemed of the highest "importance by the General in Chief, under whose advice "they are submitted to you" (him)

"1st To commmission no one of doubtful morals "or patriotism, and not of sound health" "2d To appoint no one to a Lieutenancy (second "or first.) who has passed the age of 22 [underlined] Years, a + "a captaincy over 30 [underlined] years, just to appoint no "first officer, (Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel) "unless a graduate of the United States Military Academy "+ Known to possess military Knowledge and experience "who has passed the res[?] ages of 35, [?] [?] " Years." The Gn- seems to think, he must conform literally [underlined] to these instructions, although