[James Troup crossed into Quebec &c] Niagara November 5 1796— Sir. Adjutant Lovel has officially informed me that the command: of the corps (by permission of the d^t of War) has ordered 25 of my men left at West, to be transfered to other companies: and 10 of this detachment, belonging to other companies, to be transfered to mine: that the 24 of M^cKen's detachm^t with me are considered as his company under the command of Lieut. M^cLellan: But as nothing is said about W^m Parr fifer, Eliot Raines artificer, and Ph^s Swelland, I hope mention'd a conjecture they were forgot, or cou'd also, have been transfered. I have, therefore, mustered them as such; also J^as M^cConnill a deserter from Cap^t Keltigun — who gave himself up to serve until August next to make up his lost time, and to obtain a proper discharge; but Alexander Withers from Cap^t Kin's who also gave himself up, I have mustered with the infantry — and the whole, on one muster Roll as a detachment. Humphries will be left out of my quarter if I do not hear of him by next detachm^t — Wainor and White are smart feifes & a proper since and ago, to learn & do this duty of musick; the first has a father in service — the latter is without any, they are both inlisted for 5 years upon contract to wait for bounties and receive but private pay until they can do the duty of musick, — proficient now but, and play (conselly) several times on the fife — they learn both. Hunt and Seton do Duty — are Duly well looking soldiers, both inlisted for 5 years and intitle to full bounty. Most of the mens times expire in the course of next year, begining with my best drummer (Jack Carson) on the 10 February — If it is contemplated to reinlist them, many and inducements ought to be forwarded in time. If not, a number of blank discharges — However, I shall want some, and blank Muster and Pay Rolls — It is mortifying to me that any of this detachm^t desert — it is not (flatter myself) owing to a want of proper precautions, or a lax discipline; but a desire of change, or the allurements held out on the other side the water, when every emigrant is intitled to 200 acres of land on taking the oath to that government, — a large bounty if he inlists, or high wages if he prefers working — Indeed, most of their stories (harangues) are inducements to work out on wages the principal part of their time: this is found necessary to keep them. Heaton and Pam are employed on taking up Major Rivardi's baggage to the landing on the Canadian side when they deserted. Hart being at the same place after plank, to make a raft up to salt but in; also deserted, but has since thought better of it, and returned to his duty. I wish the pay or encouragement such as to induce our others to remain in service the full term of their engatment; a bounty at the end of their service [for the time that even with of the time] wou'd have more advantages, than the one at the commencement — I am apprehensive that many after reinlisting for 5 years, with the first opportunity, go off; this has been the case with most of the deserters from Detroit. — But to prevent I will make it as difficult to them as possible. We have no news — but most of the military in upper Canada have orders to hold themselves in readiness to march to Quebec at a short notice; — supposed to meet the same soldiers who have landed at St Johns. If they invade Canada, Phaps the rage to get situations on that side the water, may not be quite so great as at present — The Adjutant Gen^l has called for my Returns, Muster & Pay Rolls — I have sent them for September and have duplicates of yours prepared for October — but I don't chuse having any more intercourse until May or June — I shall, therefore, agreeable to my original design continue to forward them to you — I am waiting every moment expecting to see the vessel I have engaged to go after Cap^t Littlefield — she is now just rigged and calculated for the Oswego harbour — no other vessel on the Lake dare venture to go in; so uncertain of the weather is not favourable — besides, I freight her for 200 dollars less than I cou'd get any other of size to bring the troops and stores — all the inconveniences in the business is, that I have to wait 8 or 10 days for her going in — I have by sound — that a detachm^t is at Oswego — but Cap^t Littlefield has not yet announced it to me — I will thank you to inclose a news paper or two with your dispatches for this post — it is seldom we get one — We all wish to see the return of member for next Congress. the Alternat in a [undecipherable] see I have the honor to be your Obedient Servant [signature] Accountant of the War Department . . . ) 6^th Nov^r — The Vessel is arrived, she goes after the detachm^t the first favourable wind — at present it is against and violent — this goes by her — [undecipherable]