[To Dep^t of War April 27. 1799] New York April 27. 1799 Sir I have reflected on the idea of furnishing the Regimental Quarter Master with money to procure Quarters Transportation &c for the Recruits. It is a practice which in an extensive State, New York for example, he cannot execute personally. If he employs Sub [undecipherable: Establishments] at the different Stations; as the Contractor must do to [undecipherable] his objects, it will either, by employing likewise, the same Agent every where, come to the [undecipherable: same] [undecipherable: Jointly] as if the Contractor were authorized to perform the thing; or there will be an inconvenient multiplication of Agents. If he confides a portion of the money [undecipherable] to the principal Recruiting Officers in each Sub district, this will extend and complicate the pecuniary agency and accountability of those Officers. In general, I consider it as a thing to be avoided; and as there will be a contractor whose care will embrace every sub district, [I] return to the [undecipherable: idea] that it will be most expedient to instruct him to comprise all the objects above mentioned. I hope on Monday that you will favor me with your final determination on the points. With great respect— P.S. By a line from [undecipherable: Bristol] I [undecipherable] you to send on for the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable: Fort] two [undecipherable] & twenty Common [undecipherable] James McHenry &c &c