Newburgh Oct. 13. 1783. Dr Sir, Mr. Denniston informed me that the hands employed in the Scows were daily changed. As the rowing them is laborious, the assigning fresh hands daily may perhaps be best. I mention it, to express my wishes that the reliever may be So ordered as to lose the least time possible: because there is so much business for the Scows, unless they are improved every hour in the day, the whole will not be accomplished before winter. Be So good as to think of this matter, and to make Such regulations as Shall facilitate the execution of the business so necessary to be accomplished. As the garrison is to continue at least for a time, so numerous, I Suppose it will be easy to furnish hands for every laborious Service, & Save the expense of hired men. I am going to Set the large pettiauger at work in transporting wood: She has two hired men; and the Schooner has three. Their aggregate pay will amount to Sixty dollars a month, besides their rations, which will come to eleven more. If hands can be furnished from the garrison (Sailors of choice) the bulk of that expense may be Saved. I would allow them a dollar [2] dollar and a half or two dollars a month; and discharge the men in the Schooner & pettiauger, except a Skipper for each, acquainted with their management and the navigation of the river. five Soldiers with the Skippers will man both. Be pleased to advise me on this head. I want a couple of boatbuilders a few days to repair a public boat; and request you will permit them to come up. Will it not be expedient to determine on the regiment which Shall occupy the Connecticut huts, & detach an officer & party from it to take immediate possession, to prevent any f[a]rther destruction if not to repair them? I am dear Sir your most obedt Servt T. Pickering Q.M.G. Major General Knox [address leaf] The Honble Major General Knox West Point [docket 1] from Colonel Pickering 13 October 1783 [docket 2] [Q] Frm Colonel [text loss] Pickering 13 October 1783 -