The first image is outside the allowed working directory so I cannot inspect it further. Here is the transcription of the three readable pages: --- [first page image unreadable] together with the number of Scouts to be allowed each County bordering upon the Ohio, by the last post.— Its indispensibly necsary that I should receive your further instructions respecting those ports & Garrisons previously to descending the Ohio.— By your letter of the 5^th ultimo it would appear that all the troops upon the upper parts of the Ohio are to descend the river— Query! by what kind or description of Men are those Ports to be occupied? If it is meant that I shall furnish the Garrison by troops of the Legion I will immediately relieve the present Garrisons and supply their places with those who are least capable of active service & unfortunately for us there are too many of this class— who in an active campaign would only be an incumbrance to the Legion: it is therefore necessary that I should receive immediate instructions upon this subject as from present appearances every thing will be in readiness for descending the River on monday the 22^d. instant, previously to which I shall be under the necessity of calling into service the Conditional Ensigns within my reach to the end, that we may have one Commissioned Officer for each boat. I have received dispatches from General Wilkinson of the 11^th of February, wherein he mentions that an inhabitant was killed and scalped by the Indians very close to Fort Steuben a little time before and that a number of small desultory parties were reconnoitring the settlements along the river. He is also distressed for want of Officers and has been obliged to collect them from different Ports in order to hold a General Courtmartial upon Major (alias) Lieut Col Comm.^t Smith and Captain (alias) Major Armstrong: from the report of the Court of Inquiry it would appear that the former must be dismissed the service; and should the charges exhibited against the latter be established (a copy of which are enclosed) it will also go hard with him. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Maj. Bedinger with his resignation; he will be a loss to the service should the war progress — as he was a good disciplinarian.— In General Wilkinsons letter of the 11 February is the following paragraph viz "Its with much concern I have now to announce to you that Capt. Rich. S. Howe on the night of the 23^d. ultimo cut his own throat, and expired a few hours after obstinately opposing every aid offered for his relief." Query! what is to be done respecting those vacancies — and those which may probably be occasioned by the sentence or sentences of the Courts martial now or lately pending? Shall the Officers next in Rank succeed respectively (protem) agreeably to the principles laid down by the President? These casualties have & may eventually offer promotion to numbers who look up to it with all that anxiety & ambition so natural to the military character.— And I have already had claims presented in consequence of the vacancies occasioned by the resignation of Mayor Bedinger and the death of Capt. Howe by officers who conceive that they have an immediate right to succeed them upon the established principles. I am with esteem & regard your most obed. & very hum. Serv. [B.] Wayne