[Wars War Office] [Nov. 29^th] [1785] [Public Service] Clement Biddle Esquire in Philadelphia [War Office] [Right margin endorsement: Wars War Office / November 29^th / 1785] D^r Sir War Office November 29^th 1785 Two Companies of troops fresh of the quota of Pennsylvania, will probably be recruited in the City of Philadelphia and they will require to be subsisted with rations [undecipherable: until?] they shall march and on their route to Fort Pitt the place of their destination; I Should be pleased if you should think this Business an object of your attention, and agree to furnish the rations composed of the parts herein mentioned at Pennsylvania [undecipherable: rates?] Pennsylvania currency. This was the form given to M^r White the last Year by us. I know of no cause why it should be higher now. I have written to M^r Hooper informing him that I have made you the offer of this business in the first instance, and if you should not think proper to engage in it, to apply to another person. [undecipherable] the troops will be marched as soon as they are raised, and the Accounts to be paid at this office on the Passing immediately afterwards. I am Dear Sir Your very [undecipherable] humble [undecipherable] Clement Biddle Esq^re H Knox The Ration to consist of 1^lb of Bread or 1^lb Flour 1^lb Beef or 3/4^lb Pork 1 Gill of Rum 1 [undecipherable] of Salt 1 Quart of Vinegar } to every hundred rations 1/2^lb Soap — — — — } 1^lb Candles — — — — } [Undecipherable] must be given by the commanding [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] there [undecipherable] no [undecipherable] cents [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] [undecipherable] he must give Receipts for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] H Knox