Head Quarters Fort Washington July 12, 1798. Sir, I have felt some difficulty in giving you a position reconcileable to propriety, and at the same time compatible with the public service. — There can be no doubt, that as a member of the general Staff, subject to the orders of the chief in command only, your proper post is at Head quarters, but to pursue this principle rigidly in the present dispersed state of the troops, would be in a great degree, to defeat the object of your appointment and to destroy your utility. Amidst this choice of difficulties I have determined to give you that station where I believe you may be most useful; you are therefore to continue at this place (where it is presumed you may be able to raise the necessary monies upon your bills, to meet every claim in your office) until the further orders of the minister of war or myself. For accommodation of the posts of the lakes and this place — Lt Colonel Strong is directed to send his paymaster to you occasionally, to whom you are to make the proper payments in the customary mode, upon his producing to you fair and unequivocal documents, in the usual form — and for the accommodation of the Garrisons of Massac and Knox, an Officer will wait on you under the orders of the commandant of the first place, who is in like manner agreeably to former usage to receive the pay due to those garrisons. For the pay of the troops on the Mississippi, bills will be drawn for the present upon the minister of war — you are not therefore in your future drafts upon him to take into consideration any troops below Massac until you receive further orders, but are to calculate for the payment of the garrisons before mentioned only. Quarters will be prepared for you in the Garrison, after which no rent can be consistently paid by the publick for your accommodation, but it may be optional with you to reside within the fort or in town. With due Consideration I am Sir your M^st ob. Sew^t (Signed) Ja. Wilkinson C. Swan Es^qr Paymaster General NB Sej^t Whittock is left in command of the place with recruiting instructions; you will be pleased to furnish him money to push this important business in such manner as may involve no difficulty or perplexity of accounts: you are to furnish recruiting money to Lt Webster, and to the requisitions of Major Hunt and Lt Col. Strong, holding them responsible in the usual form. (Signed) Ja Wilkinson Correct Copy Teste [undecipherable]