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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 enabled, thru the blanks and books created by you, measurably to carry out.

I commenced with an apology for not answering earlier yr letters but omitted all of it, which is, that I had been preparing order blankets etc for reenlistments & for the discharge & payment of 20 undesignated companies, the temporary paymasters of which, Wildes Miller (of Portland)) Chase (of here) Sabine (Bangor) + Dyer (of Calais) being entirely ignorant of the business, I had [?] instinct, 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, & 4 pages more, working almost all 4 nights to accomplish the work.

The G[?] has rec'd 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, or for a captaincy over 30 [underlined] years, and to appoint no field officer, (Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel) unless a graduate of the United States Military Academy or Known to possess military knowledge and experience who has passed the respective ages of 35, 40, 45 years." The G[?] seems to think, he must conform literally [underlined] to these instructions, although