[Copy] West Point 2^d July 1784 Sir, Genl Knox having appointed me Commissary Military Stores this department, he directed me to apply to you for the pay and emoluments annexed to the Office, I beg you to inform me what they will be, and what mode I am to receive them, Having for the last 5 or 6 months received my first pittance from the Pay Master of the Corps in which I then Served. I have let the Matter Lay dormant till now, as I did not look upon my Appointment as perminant till this Arrangement took place, but being now selected from the Corps, I ought to know upon what footing I Stand, also to prevent disputes hereafter in the fulfilment of my Accounts, which I ought to have Done very year at Least — The Casks in which the powder in this Department is contained is in very bad Order, and if the powder is to be kept there must be new Casks provided against the next Summer, as it is not possible to get them from enough for the during of it then, and they can be got much Cheaper, as the Persons who contracts for them will be able to get his Staves of a proper Length in the fall — also the Chests and Boxes in which the Arms, and Ammunition is Contained, is they much out of repairs, by reason of their being transported from one place to another So often, that they are Shattered to peeces — I have no means in my power to remedy this money is out of the question, and there is not a Single Artificer in the Garrison (Baxtons Company) either in the Ordnance department, or amongst the hands that remain in Service, I Shall use every means in my personal power to preserve all public property till you Shall please to Order in what manner the difficultys Shall be Resolved Favour your Very Humble Servt William Price C^o. M^y. St^rs. [Joseph Carleton Esq^r at the War Office]