Dr. Sir:

Your favor of the 23d Instant, I have now before me, and am obliged to you for the pains and trouble you have taken. Give me leave to request that such of the Troops as arrive at Halifax be ordered to remain there until you hear farther from me. If any are gone on to Petersburg let them be halted there, and indeed those to the westward, I had rather should remain in their own counties, or wherever they may be collected, until further orders, as I consider myself under the necessity of taking the advice of the Council previous to my giving particular orders: That board is to meet here the second of next month, soon after which I will do myself the honor to write you. I am with very great esteem Dr Sir, your most obdt. servt.