[12 Febry. 1799 To Gen. Washington] Philad 12 Febry 1799 Dear Sir M^r Alpin called upon me this morning to inform me, that after the most diligent enquiring for gold thread, both here and at New York, he has not been able to procure a sufficient quantity to complete the embroidering of the coat; that of course it would be necessary to suspend [strikethrough: it] [making it, the] till after the arriveal of the Spring ships on which the article is expected. [Cockade] As yet the President [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] remains without [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] the eagle. to his [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] mine is cockade. [strikethrough: I am] also without one. I shall give you early notice when the alteration [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] takes place and, [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] means which I shall send you four cacles of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] here, been adopted [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] which I find corresponds with your ideas. I contemplate the black ribbon, [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] the old form, for our Cockade with the eagle fixed in the centre, ' [strikethrough: to] [strikethrough: upon] the loops and cockade by small holes in its wings. I have dispatched to Maj^r Gen^l Hamilton his instructions, and hope to be able to complete these for Gen. Pinckney to day. I shall send you copies. I am &c Gen. Washington