.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)