War department June 18 1795 Sir I have received your Excellencys favor of the 7 instant; and I have stated your request to the President of the United States for two large Field pieces as a loan to part of the Militia of your State. The President regrets that the general Rules which were prescribed by the Congress under the late Confederation and the propriety of which have impressed themselves on his mind will prevent the delivery of the Cannon of the Union excepting in cases of the most pressing Nature. The scarcity supply of Ordnance and Military Stores in the possession of the United States and the propriety of holding them in readiness for real exigencies have caused this measure to be rigidly adhered to on the part of the general Government although applications similar to yours have been made from several or most of the