[undecipherable registration notation] War Dept April 27. 1799 Dr [undecipherable — obscured by ink blot] You will receive herewith duplicates of my letter to you of the [undecipherable: probable reading "9"]^th instant. It appearing that discontent has arisen from the establishment of Martial law at Detroit, and a representation having been made against its operation by Governor St Clair, the Commanding Officer and there being a question of delicacy about the boundaries of the authority to establish and exercise Martial law in time of peace, it has been judged expedient to instruct the Commanding Officer of Detroit to forbear the exercise of it, till a further order shall have been given as the result of mature Reflection. The Sec^y of War has forwarded to me a letter from you of the 2^d of January last. It contains among other things a suggestion respecting two Companies of the first Regiment. I [strikethrough: am] not yet [strikethrough: the [undecipherable] of the Western army, and its [undecipherable] is not sufficiently] [undecipherable] arrangement of the Western army, to be fond of giving directions at this distance concerning a detail of this, and it seems to me one appertaining naturally to the Commander of the Western Army, with whom in points of particular disposition I shall not incline to interfere. It is presumed you are now [strikethrough: the] by the [strikethrough: absence] departure of General Wilkinson for Philadelphia, the temporary command of that army and competent to the making of the change you suggest, if you continue to find it eligible. But in general you will no doubt see it proper to [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] be forbearing in altering the [strikethrough: dispositions] permanent dispositions which may have been made by General Wilkinson. * It is proper to comply with the direction of General Wilkinson as to the building of houses for the [underline: Turtle] & for the [underline: Ford]. More carpenters if necessary must be employed. Soldiers to be employed, if not regularly engaged as Artificers [Margin: * on the same supposition of your being the Commanding Officer you can take the measures you judge requisite with regard to D. Welfle.] ought to receive extra compensation. You are at liberty to allow it — taking care in every thing all reasonable econ[omy]. [Margin: to consult] [strikethrough: [undecipherable heading]] If, as is presumed, you are now the Commanding Officer of the Western army, you can take the measures which appear to you proper in regard to D. Welfle. In similar matters I should be reluctant to give directions. I am anxious that the regular course of Military service shall be strictly observed; — what dictates a resort to the immediate commanding Officer, not to a Superior authority. I am aware that the [undecipherable] difficulty of communication with General Wilkinson is the cause of your addressing yourself to the Sec^y of War. But in things that can wait without general prejudice to the service, some inconvenience from delay is [undecipherable] preferable to [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] interference; sometimes indeed when the act is urgent. In familiar cases I should feel a reluctance to interpose in — being very anxious that the regular course of service shall as far as possible be observed. You will consider this observation as not implying a censure on your report to the Sec^y of War. But merely as manifesting [undecipherable] the manifest principle. I am aware of the difficulty [undecipherable] of communication [arising] from the [undecipherable] of the Commanding General and I know well the strength of your attachment to military order. With great consideration I am Sir You obedient [Signature: undecipherable] [Docket: undecipherable — April 27. 1799] Col. Hamtramck