[Right margin, vertically written: [undecipherable: probable reading: Detroit March 13 97]] [answers] Ensign John Wattington 4^th Regt actp as Cloathier Genl Head Quarters Detroit 13^th March 1797— Sir, As you are to perform the duty of Cloathier General to the Army, I will give you in general terms, the duty, or incumbrance on your Commission. — 1^st You will receive and receipt to the person, who will deliver you the Clothing, agreeably to the mode which [strikethrough: has been] may have been directed — 2^d You will deliver the Clothing to the Paymaster of each Regiment, as mentioned in my orders of the [undecipherable] Inst — And [undecipherable: probable reading: tho'] that order, did not make any provision for the Dragons, you will be pleased to observe, that you are to see their Clothing delivered at Defiance, to the Senior Officer of that Corps, and take his receipt for the same. — That is to say, Overalls, Shoes & Stockings, and the Boots, Spurs, Horseback [undecipherable], and Cloaks, if any are in Store, are to be brought to this place, and deposited — 3^d Should it happen that any one of the Pay Masters, can not attend you, for the delivery & recovery of the Clothing, you will be pleased to communicate it to the nearest Senior Officer of the Regiment, where the deficiency may exist, who is hereby [undecipherable: probable reading: authorized] to depute an Officer of his Corps, to act for the Pay Master, and who must be accountable, for the same until delivered to the said Pay Master — taking his receipt for the same, this will leave no doubt, more or less difficulty attending your mission, owing to the disperse situation of the Troops — With the confidence I have, that you will act consonant to my intentions, removes all my inquietude — My intention is to create, and to make a Responsibility some where in order that the public may not be injured for the Soldier defrauded — Should it happen that contrary orders or directions, have been received from the War Office, or from a superior authority then mine, you will in that case comply with their directions — I am Sir, with very great Respect your most ob^t & very hum^ble Serv^t [Signature: undecipherable] Ensign John Wallington (4^th [undecipherable] Regt) P.S. all the Surplus of the Clothing, and all Indian Goods are also to be brought [undecipherable]