Sir:
The Commissioners appointed to extend the Boundary line between this State and Virginia informed me they intend entering upon that duty about the last of August or the first of September next, it being a suitable season for finding the Latitude; that they are to be furnished with a suitable Guard, to be officered by such as your Excellency shall think proper to appoint, (and whereas Col. Robert Salter, who, I am informed, was recommended by the Assembly to command the said Guard, is dead,) if your Excellency has not already made an appointment in Col. Salter's room, and can be induced to believe, from the slender acquaintance you have had of me, that I am equal to the Task, and would be pleased to honor me with it, I will thankfully accept of the appointment, and cheerfully enter on the Execution thereof, agreeably to such instructions as I shall receive from your Excellency.
I flatter myself that I can, from the acquaintance I made when I had the honor of a command on the Western Waters, raise a sufficiency of Volunteers that are extraordinary woodsmen. You'l
please to honor me with an answer by Mr. Rice, who waits on your Excellency.