The Secretary of War [D. G. Mitchell 30 June 1797] [undecipherable] April 23 [17]9[undecipherable]— Sir The cause of my not saluting the British Frigate Squirrel was that she did not salute the Flag of the United States— The cause of my not making a report relative to the business was that I did suppose it my duty to report the reasons why a foreign Frigate omitted the usual compliments paid to our Flagg— In this case no reasons were alledged— The lieut. of the Frigate was on Shore— prepared to salute the Fort & was regularly informed of the number of Guns which could be returned— I am Sir your Obed^t Serv^t Donald G. Mitchells Capt. of Art^ts Engineers