[undecipherable] [marginalia: only [undecipherable: probable reading "circular"] / [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Oct[ober] 27^th [undecipherable] 1799 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I beg leave to inform you. that the Barracks at this post are not adequate to the reception of a full company. The consequence is that L^t Steele and myself are obliged to quarter in town and a considerable extra expence. If troops continue to be stationed at this [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] found necessary to enlarge the public buildings. In the same time I beg leave to inquire whether it be not proper for L^t Steele and myself to charge the public with House rent adequate to the extra expence? This appears no more than just and proper. By the Spring I expect to have at least a full company — I believe no company on the continent can boast of men of equal size, or better calculated to make a respectable appearance But as they are stationed in the neighbourhood of their friends and relations I experience many inconveniences. In addition to the vexation of creditors, for most of them are in debt, I find men base enough [undecipherable] desertion, and by instigation of Parents and friends I have already lost two recruits. It strikes me as good policy to remove [the] many of the [undecipherable] state [undecipherable] next [undecipherable] provided [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] with here. I need not add [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] rendezvous is in some of the Middle States, or [undecipherable] at Baltimore or Alexandria [undecipherable] connected with our inclinations, it [undecipherable] energetically. If we are quartered here [undecipherable] [undecipherable] finances [undecipherable] situation of the men [undecipherable] inevitably prevail— [undecipherable] of Nests, [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Amos Stoddard Cap^t [undecipherable] Artil[lery] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]