Halifax, Aug. 14th, 1777.
Dr Sir:—
I rec'd yours by Mr. Shine, & do approve of his coming into the second Battalion, whenever there is a vacancy, & that I expect every day. I wrote to you last month, desiring Mr. Samuel Jones should come in the second Battalion as ensign, but have not heard whether you approve of him or not. If you do, I should be glad if you would send him a Commission before we go out of this State, as I gave him a certificate in the month of May to act till your pleasure was known in that matter. He is one of the Commissioners that was appointed by the Assembly to recruit in the County of Hertford for the Continental Battalions; but he never received any money, nor instructions, & did not inlist any men; but if you
think proper to give him an appointment, I intend to leave him in this State on the recruiting service, as I think he has more interest in that way than any Ensign in our Battalion. I am told one of our Ensigns intends resigning, and if he does I will acquaint you immediately, and get Mr. Shine appointed in his room.
P. S. I have now at this place 28 new recruits and 13 deserters, that I have inlisted and apprehended, since I have been on the recruiting service.