I have the honor in complyance [compliance] with your request to report to you by the inclosed copies of Deposition &c &c [et cetera, et cetera], The circumstances relative to the service and property of ordering, at the time it may done, Captain James Cowans [added: Cowan ]Company into service to act as rangers, or a Militia Cavalry, on the frontier of Franklin County in this state, for the protection of the Inhabitants of that County, which from its exposed situation to Indian depredation, and from the actual murders which had been just before committed there, by Indians, was indespensably [indispensable] necessary to be done, to keep that frontier settlement from being entirely abandoned by the settlers — That County including much of Cumberland Mountain , and extensive frontier, very contiguous to Indian settlements, is very broken and mountainous, so much so, that marauding parties of the Enemy might be concealed, or elude the vigilence [vigilance] of any Company smaller than the one ordered into service, for a considerable time; during which, they might commit many murders — that Company was called out upon the recommendation, and upon the application for protection made to me therefor, of & by, the members of the General

Assembly, then here, from that County, as well as of hundreds of other respectable citizens of Franklin County, expressed by petition — The Company has been discharged upon your suggestion of the propriety — Their services have been very important to that frontier, which they rendered safe — They merit compensation as fully as any men who have were been in service upon our frontier, and I hope and trust, that they will be paid by your order therefor — The vigilence [vigilance] of that company has prevented that frontier from being abandoned by the settlers, and the Indians knowing, thro' [through] the Cherokees , that they were in service on that frontier, have kept away — I wish they may continue to do so — The Inhabitants are again petitioning for protection there —

You will discover by the copy of my letter written to you, stating that I had called that company into service, & enclosing a deposition as the basis for the order, that I did not omit to advise you of the measure taken for the defense and protection of that frontier, and not having heard from you in answer, together with my belief, founded upon correct information from time to time recd. [received], of existing danger, the Company was kept in service, until the receipt of yours suggesting their discharge — I have with transmit copies of the rolls, showing when the company was mustered into, and out of service — And have the honor to be very respectfully,

Your obt [obedient] Servant

Willie Blount

The Hon'ble [Honorable] John Armstrong Secy [Secretary] War