War Office November 4. 1797 Sir, Your letter of the 23. October 1797 has been received. I am directed by the Secretary of War to inform you that you are at liberty to make use of John Stiles Parsons the fifer as usual. In the mean time you will be pleased to write to Col Rochefontaine at West point near Pecks Hill, for information respecting him, transmitting at the same time a description of his person — I am Sir , with respect Your obed^t serv^t [signed] [undecipherable: probable reading: S. Jones] Ensign William R. Borte New Brunswicks [verso:] [No.] War Office Ensign William R. Borte New Brunswicks [undecipherable] [seal] Nathan Jones Esq^r [undecipherable] New Jersey