Sir:

It being His Majesty's intention that we should have, if possible, in North America, early in the next spring, an army of at least twenty thousand men, exclusive of Canadians and Indians, the proper steps are now taking for such arrangements as may be necessary to this object; and I have this day signified His Majesty's commands, that the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 14th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 35th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 47th, 49th, 52nd, 63rd, 64th and 65th Regiments be augmented so that each company shall consist of three Sergeants, three Corporals, two Drummers, and fifty-six private men, besides commissioned officers. And that each of the above mentioned twenty-two Battalions be augmented with two companies, each to consist of one Captain, one Lieutenant, one Ensign, three Sergeants, three Corporals, two Drummers, and fifty-six private men.

The steps which you say the rebels have taken for calling in the assistance of the Indians, leave no room to hesitate upon the propriety of you pursuing the same measure. For that purpose I enclose to you a letter to Col. Johnston, containing His Majesty's commands for engaging a body of Indians, and shall by the first ship-of-war that sails after the Cerberus send you a large assortment of goods for presents, which you will contrive the means of safely conveying to the Colonel.