I recd your favr of the 8: Inst by Colonel Reade. Before I can give any opinion upon the propriety of his claim to the Rank of full Colonel, I must be informed by what means his present Commission came to be dated on the 5th of March 1778, as Colo. Hale, to whom he succeeded, did not die till long after—I never heard that Colo. Hale had been displaced at any time previous to his death, consequently I cannot understand how the Vacancy on the 5. of March happened. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt