In order to reduce the possibility of confidential communications falling into the hands of persons other than those for whom they are intended, the sender will enclose them in an inner and outer cover; the inner cover to be a sealed envelope or wrapper addressed in the usual way, but marked plainly “Confidential” in such a manner that the notation may be most readily seen when the outer cover is removed. The package thus prepared will then be enclosed in another sealed envelope or wrapper addressed in the ordinary manner with no notation to indicate the confidential nature of the contents. The foregoing applies not only to confidential communications entrusted to the mails or to telegraph companies, but also to such communications entrusted to messengers passing between different offices of the same headquarters, including the bureaus and offices of the War Department.” We have so far discussed in this chapter official letters to persons in the military service. We now come to consider the second form of official letter—the one to persons outside the military service. Often an adjutant or quartermaster is called upon to write to individuals or firms not conversant with the military forms. For a variety of reasons, the business form in that case is best. In general the two forms present the following differences and likenesses. The headings are the same. The business form substitutes the _Address_ of the _Recipient_ and the _Salutation_ for the _From Whom Sent_, _To Whom Sent_, and _Subject_ of the military form. The _Body_ in each case follows the principles of paragraphing, and unity and coherence of the whole, as set down for the military form. In the business form the paragraphs need not be numbered. The business form has a complimentary close before the signature, rank, and organization of the writer. Letters are retained by the recipient and answered by him with a new letter, the sender retaining a carbon copy. Indorsements are not used in the business form. An example of a good business form appears below. Office of the Quartermaster, West Point, N. Y., August 7, 1930. Messrs. D. C. Johnson and Company, 312 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Gentlemen: In reference to your letter of the 5th inst., I desire to inform you that there is no need here at present for the roofing mentioned. I regret that we cannot at this time become customers of your firm, but we shall hold you in mind when the necessity for roofing arises. Yours very truly, J. H. Smith, Major, Q. M. Corps, U. S. A. Quartermaster. The entire _address_ of the recipient had best be written before the _salutation_.