[Copy] Mount Vernon April 7^th 1791. Sir The necessity of pressing the Organization to the Virginia Battalion of service upon a certain footing before I leave mount Vernon which I shall do this morning has induced me to authorize Colonel Darke who lives near Shepherds town in Berkeley County to appoint all the Officers to the Battalion and when they are appointed to direct the Major to repair to Philadelphia to receive the orders of the Secretary of War and the other Officers to commence the recruiting Service. Should Colonel Heth decline and Colonel Darke chuses to accept he will be appointed to command the regiment. I have given this information to you to prevent any clashing in the measures which might be diverted to officer the battalion — and as it may be best that you should see Colonel Darke as soon as you have finished what remains to be done in Maryland I have informed him that you are on your way through Maryland to Virginia for the purpose of Completing the arrangements of both battalions informed him that he is in the mean time to continue the service of yor — I have requested him to converse