[War department] [M^r John Harris] July 27. 1798 The Sec.^t of War admits the reception of Artillerist Coats which are altered provided a Certificate is obtained from the Inspectors purporting that they are otherwise equal to [undecipherable: pattern?] — Certificate enclosed War department July 27. 1798. Sir I am informed that M^r Billington the Contractor for supplying of Clothing has in a number of the Coats intended for the Artillerists deviated from the pattern Article and that on account of the said deviation the said Coats have not been receipted for. In order however that the Contractor may sustain as little loss as may be you are hereby permitted to receive and receipt for such Coats amounting as is said to [the] number of five hundred and fifty provided that the Inspectors shall be of opinion that in every other respect they are equal to the pattern articles, and shall so certify. I am Sir Your obed Servant James McHenry M^r John Harris Sir July 26 1798 — The Materials & Workmanship of the Artillery Coats being fully equal to the Pattern Coat; we are of opinion there ought not to be any Deduction made on account of the Form, if that is approved of, as it does not appear to us that any advantage could accrue to the Contractor from the Deviation. We are respectfully Sir your obt servants [Honorable] James McHenry Esq. John Stelle Secretary at War [undecipherable: Robt Ewing?]