Sir R O October 25 179[undecipherable] I am honored with yours of this date accompanied with a copy of M^r Holls letter of the 8^th inst. and have to observe. That contracts have already been concluded for the entire number of Troops Howitz, which comprehended in the requisition from the War Departm[ent] [A] & therefore the advantages w^ch M^r Holls plan seems to promise are at present not within the reach of the government; But as that gent[leman's] propositions may on some subsequent occasion be worthy the public att[ention] you may in such an event avail themselves of the benefits w^ch a contract with him might produce.— [Ex] M^r Holls further communications on the subject of his plan will in the mean time be both desirable and necessary — the Sec^y of War. I have the honor to be Sir y^r mo^st ob[edient] Signed I. Cox[undecipherable] C.R.