Sir,

As I am extremely solicitous for the honor and safety of you and the troops under your command, and as I am myself persuaded that your danger or safety depends entirely on the strength or weakness of the corps stationed on the other side of the creek; I must request that when the necessary works proposed are finished, you will detach, at least, another hundred men tostrengthen this corps. I wish you would send me an exact state of your ammunition, that you may be supplied accordingly. His excellency the president, complains that several boats have been lost at your station: as so much depends on these boats, I must desire that you will put them under a sufficient guard: Oblige the officer commanding the guard, to give a receipt for their number, and be accountable for them. I am sir [&c.]