[p9] From Gen^l Knox [p?] [answer?] War department 27 July 1792 — Sir, I have the honor to enclose duplicates of my letters to you of the 20 & 25 instant, and to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20 instant. The spirit of desertion manifested in [strikethrough: affetions] detachment is an unpleasant event the cause I know not excepting it being a depravity of mind disgraceful to human nature. I shall hope for the description list you have mentioned — A list ought to have sent it on to this office weekly while on his long march. It is a matter of serious consideration how this infamous conduct is to be checked. it is concluded by all men who have examined the question, that severity is not as efficacious a certainty of punishment for crimes — How far hard labour generally adopted instead of death, which the laws allow, and direct, would effect a reformation is to be determined. An unfavorable position for desertion would be a favorable circumstance, and it is to be hoped your Cavalry will be able to apprehend generally all deserters, which with such other regulations you deem adoptionary terminate this propensity. Major Rudulph has a motion from Baltimore, Alexandria, Winchester, Shepherdstown and Hagerstown about two hundred and fifty recruits, so they may arrive somewhere about the twentieth of next month. The rifle clothing to complete the companies at the great [undecipherable] and the Companies to be clothed at Pittsburgh will be sent off instantly. Six hundred suits of clothing for the 4^th first regiment is on