[Endorsement: rec'd [undecipherable] May [undecipherable] / Ans'd [undecipherable] May [undecipherable] –– / for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ––] [Address: War department / of Pickering] [circular postmark] Captain William Eaton Springfield Massachusetts War Office May 2. 1795. Sir, I received your letter of the 22d. — If he was fairly inlisted, an exchange would be inadmissible, merely because he had repented. The recruits confined at Norwich I suppose are the same of whom Governor Huntington lately wrote to me. I answered, that they could not be retained, if under age, and the parents or masters demanded them. The service of a minor is the property of his parent or master; and without a special law ought not to be taken from them, but by their consent. In ordinary times, like the present, such a law certainly will not be provided. As you appear to be recruiting successfully, I am satisfied that you should continue in that place; and I trust all your exertions will be made in it. But your recruits must be marched immediately to Middletown, where with the recruits at that place they must be embarked for Brunswick New New Jersey. It will ^be advisable for you to go with your recruits and to deliver them to Captain [undecipherable] who will have orders to take the command of the whole. Those with you, if recovered and fit for duty, should march with your recruits to the Legion. I depend on your executing these orders with despatch. Peace will undoubtedly be made with the Indians, who are to assemble at Head Quarters at Greenville next June for a general Treaty: but the ranks of the Legion are thin; and we must show a respectable military force. I am, Sir, your ob't servant Timothy Pickering P.S. Let the recruits be made as comfortable as possible with the cloathing on hand. Deficiencies will be supplied here; and other cloathing now run for future recruits. Do not keep a man who is able to march. One of your music must go with them. — Captain William Eaton