War office April 16th 1790 Sir An application the President of the United States on the 3d of last March directed [undecipherable] authorised the Governor of the Western territory or in my absence to the commanding other of the [undecipherable] in certain cases to empower the Lieutnant of the sentries [undecipherable] for the protection of [undecipherable] Scouts at the expence of the United States. Colonel Duval, Lieutnant of Harrison county was charged with these orders to the Governor a Brigadier general Harmar and from the provider interess he took in the affair [undecipherable] doubt can remain but that he expected himself to have it said orders carried in to full effect But as it is possible that some delays may have been [undecipherable] home and as the President of the United States is exceedingly defiand that the exposed counties may avail themselves of the [undecipherable] intended in said orders he has directed me to write to the Lieutnants of the counties of Harrison, Randolph, Ohio, Monongahala, and Kenhawa in Virginia and in case their [undecipherable] organised the [undecipherable] of the said pro[undecipherable] that they should be empowered for htat purpose Therefore Sir I do in the name of the President of the United States, hereby authorise and empower you if in your judgement the appearances of danger are such as to require the measure to call forth the Scouts herein mentioned and under the regulations described 1st That the number of men to called Scouts shall not exceed the number which usually heretofor have been allowed by Virginia and upon no [undecipherable] tp exceed the number of eight men. 2d That the pay or expences of said Scouts shall not exceed the pay and expence hereto fore usually allowed by Virginia 3d That the said Scouts shall not be continued in Service longer then the exigeree shall require. That when the said Service shall be performed the following evidence will be required fourth - A return of the names ages and residence of the said Scouts Finaly - [undecipherable] of the pay of the said Scouts Specifyingthe great days in which they were so employed. The pay to be [undecipherable] by the lowest price, in the respective counties in which the service may be performed and on this point [undecipherable] and the commanding officer will be particularly accurate. I have been informed that five Shillings Virginia [undecipherable] for day has been given to each of the Scouts If this high price has been given it must for the [undecipherable] to be given on the part of the United States [line blackened out] each ration being Stated at not higher rate than six pence per ration Fourthly_ [no more text following]

[Written in the margin:] Secretary of war Apr. 13. 1790 Scouts called into Service