[Copy] War Department Dec^r 27^th 1794 Sir, I acknowledge to have received yours of the 18^th Instant. — Besides the Eight hundred suits of Clothing transmitted from this city on the 30^th Ultimo, there were it appears at Pittsburg on the 1^st Inst^t the Articles of Cloathing contained in the enclosed Invoice. The two Invoices together will form a superabundant Quantity to any demand which you will have, excepting in the Articles of Caps & Boots for the One Hundred & Forty Eight Cavalry which shall be immediately forwarded. The Quarter Master should form an Estimate monthly of the Money he will require noticing the Objects for which it is wanted — A Judgement will be formed upon this Subject, and such sums remitted as shall be found necessary. It will however be considered by you as an essential part of your duty to regulate every thing by the most rigid principles of œconomy; — no fanciful Articles for the comfort of the Troops will be denied, & nothing Superfluous or unnecessary will be granted by this public Interest — nothing can be granted but in pursuance of Law & General Principles. I observe in the General Return of the General Staff which you inclose, there is an Adjutant & Inspector General, an Quarter Master General & Surgeon General, then this desCamps & a Secretary. It is proper for me to remark that the Law does not allow to a Major General more than two Aides de Camps & no Secretary, that if the term General above alluded to makes principals in each department there can be no Objection to it, but if it means for a detachment of one thousand men that there May an Allowance arises to the same as if there was a larger Army, I conceive such a claim will not be allowed — a Federal Allowance measured by the Quantum of Service will be allowed. It is a duty to the public to you & myself which dictates these remarks & I am persuaded that you will receive them with the Candour & Sincerity with which they are meant. The President's power is limited by law and when Similar Services are to be performed, the Standard of Comparison must be the Law Only. I am Sir with great respect Yr most Ob^t Major Gen^l Morgan. H. Knox, Servant [signed] Knox