[Secretary of War April 4. 1799] War department April 4. 1798 Sir, I received yesterday afternoon your letter dated the 2 instant. Knowing your attachment to the Government and disposition to forward any measure that might promote the public Good, I took the liberty to count upon your knowledge of character and judgment to form with qualified and competent persons a contract or contracts to supply to the troops that may be raised or stationed in New Jersey within the present year, the power to conclude such contracts being vested by law in the Secretary of War. You will be pleased therefore to consider yourself fully authorized to form the Contracts contemplated in my letter of the 1^st instant. for doing which I shall concur in a reasonable compensation for your time or any expenses you may incur in executing this business. It may perhaps be useful to you to know the Contract prices at which Rations are supplied within the States of New York and Pennsylvania. At any post or place within the State of New York (Oswego & Niagara excepted) where troops are or may be stationed the Ration as described in the within act to augment the Army of the United States and for other purposes, is supplied at the following prices. When the daily issues are two hundreds and under at 17. Cents. 5 Mills for every four hundred Rations and under - - - - - - 17. Cents. If the number of Rations shall exceed four hundred - - - 16 Cents, and an half At any post or place within the State of Pennsylvania, Presque Isle & Le Boeuf, Fort Franklin and Pittsburg excepted, at the Rate of Sixteen Cents and an half for every Ration of the said description. You will, I am certain get as good terms and as good men as in your power and this is all that can be expected. But in case you cannot get persons to contract at once upon such conditions as you may think reasonable you will enter into temporary contracts for supplies at such places as Officers are at and prepared to commence to recruit of which circumstance I presume you may be informed by Colonel Ogden. I am Sir Your obed't Servant James McHenry Jonathan Rhea Esq^r Trenton