of a Court Martiall is pronounced, by which you are to be guided, this observation applies to John Milroy, altho' his pay is included in the present remittance. Sam go. W^m Simmons Acct^s Major Lewis Howard Accountants Office Head Island Fort November 13^th 1797 Sir I received a letter from Ensign Boots at New Brunswick dated the 4^th Instant containing the following information, respecting Thomas Edwards — Haste to inform you that I enlisted a man by the name of Tho^s Edwards on the 15^th August last who on the next day was promoted to the rank of Serjeant not having at that time any person in that capacity, I was thus necessity obliged to make the appointment; I afterwards found him totally unqualified for it. By his own request he was reduced on 28^th September and deserted on the 3 October in company with James Ramsay, Drummer and Joseph Hobbins private. he has received twelve dollars for bounty from me, having a discharge signed by Cap^t Haats Morris, the expence of advertising the three deserters abovementioned was one dollar &⁷⁵ besides which I advanced to Edwards fifty cents which I will thank you to stop, as to the point of view in which he is to be considered, it is that of a deserter without the least provocation. I will also thank you to see what is due to James Hambleton for the time he was last paid at Fort