War Department 8 Sep^t 1798. Dear Sir. I received your letter dated yesterday this morning. If there is an old continental officer, or qualified militia officer, in the neighbourhood of Elizabeth Town, who will take the trouble to muster the recruits under Lieutenant Dayton, I request you to cause it to be made, after which they can be remitted to them. There is a small detachment wanted at Niagara which [strikethrough: set] may be composed of three men and a draught from recruits under Cap^t Frye. I shall direct the increased ration to be delivered them or in case it should not, they may be assured of receiving the difference between the old and new us money. I think it probable Congress will raise the ration at their next meeting. It will induce a very heavy expence without its having been called for by the soldiers or indeed being necessary for any purpose whatever, except the addition of bread, and perhaps the vinega and soap. The form of enlistment I have found provides for such a revision. To furnish 20,000 troops with the extra half gill of whiskey or rum only, will cost the United States about 60,000 Dollars per annum. I shall request your aid in forming the list of Candidates for Bersey & previous to my deciding on it for the President. Yours very sincerely James McHenry [Endorsed:] Brig. Gen Dayton [Administrative notation: Sec. of War — Septr. 8. 1798]