Philadelphia, March 12, 1872.

    Dear Sir: I have recd. your several letters of the 23d. 27th. and 28th. ulto and 5th. and 6th. instants.

    I approve of your having sent a detachment to possess the Huts of the Connecticut State Troops, untill a Body of Militia could be again assembled for that purpose. I am glad to hear that the greater part of the Stores have been removed from Claverack, and I will see that means are provided to comply with General Schuylers promise of pay to the Militia who guarded them.

    Supposing that all possible care has been taken to make an equitable arrangement of the Subalterns of the Massachusetts line, I approve of it, and desire it may be published accordingly.

    General Pattersons information respecting the Indian Chief, is yet so vague, that there is no coming to any determination upon it. He may desire his Friend to prosecute the enquiry, and if he finds there are good grounds to believe the Indian sincere, measures may be taken to bring him over.

    I perceive you had not, upon the 27th. ulto., received Mr. Morris's letter explaining the reason of the Contractors charging a seeming advanced price upon the Officers extra Ration of Rum. But as you must have gotten it since, I shall say no more upon that subject. I cannot conceive how any difficulty should arise upon the prices of the other Articles, which are expressly specified in the Contract. Lord Stirling appears not to have had a Copy before him, as the prices, at which he says the Articles were to have been furnished, do not agree with those stipulated in the Contract, extracts from which I inclose. The Officer is upon the safe side. He draws his Rations, and if the Contractor charges more than he is intitled to do by his agreement, the appeal will go to the Superintendant of Finance, who will oblige him to do justice.

    Those Artificers who, by the terms of their engagements, are to have an addition to the common Ration, must undoubtedly draw it; and it will lay with the commanding General to order an addition to Fatigue Men or to those upon extra duty when he sees occasion.

    I am pleased to hear of the several partizan strokes upon the enemy's light Corps. It is a spirit which I would wish to see encouraged. You will be good enough to present my thanks to the Officers concerned. I have had information similar to Capt. Prays tho' other channels, and have communicated that and the several matters contained in your last letters to Congress. I am &c. ⁸⁰

[Note:In the writing of Tench Tilghman. ]