[Docketing: Garrison of Bedlow's Island / October 1798 / John Henry / rec'd [undecipherable] 11^th / etrs 3] [FREE] [Trenton] William Simmons Accountant of the war department Garrison of Bedlow's Island 10^th Oct^r. 1798 Sir I am favoured with Your letter, and am much obliged by Your attention to my last letter accompanied by the pay & muster rolls for Sept^r. — The enclosed Certificate will shew, that I made the appointments in my Company under the only restriction named by the Secretary of war. — This certificate would have been procured and sent with the other relative papers, had I even conjectured that the Secretary would not have given more credit to my own assurance, than to suppose I excluded any condition which privileged my making those appointments. — In mustering the men under my command, I avoided including any one, who had not been received by the muster master, and certified by him as qualified soldiers in the first muster rolls returned to Your office. — In returning those who had been once [underline: accepted], I was only governed — by the custom of other officers. — I am Sir, with high respect Y^r most obed^t Serv^t John Henry Capt^r. 2 Reg^t of [Art.] Ca. W^m Simmons Esq^re --- Bedlow's Island 10 October 1798 Sir Having concurred in your appointments of Non Commissioned Officers in your Company I would have given you a Certificate of such Concurrence had I been informed that a Certificate was necessary. This I believe usual to specify when Certificates are required. I did approve your appointment of John Anderson John Bones Scott William Burrell and John M^cVinney as Serjeants in your Company and do hereby Certify my Approbation I am S^r Y^r Mo^st ob^t Serv^t [undecipherable] Hoops Major 2 Reg^t Art^d Cap^ts. [P.S. It is to be wished that a specific mode of authenticating the appointments of Non Commissioned Officers was pointed out —] Captⁿ John Henry 2^d Reg^t Art^d Cap^ts. Bedloe Island