War department 25. May 1799 [Ca] I received yesterday your two letters of the 18 and 21 instant. You will see by the enclosed schedule N^o 1 the quantity of Clothing Arms accoutrements &c which has been, and for the several regiments &c, &c. the remaining service and pay and forage for the Officers has been granted as is mentioned in Schedule N^o 2. — It is to be understood that the whole Clothing for no one Regiment has been sent on, that a part only can or has been forwarded to each; and that the Purveyor is using every exertion to complete the remainder in time to meet the wants of the several Regiments, which he will now be able to do without having arrived from [undecipherable: Liverpool] supposed to have the [undecipherable] needed. I am extremely sorry at the misconception that has happened respecting the hats for the Infantry. It could not however have been mentioned by me to you that they were fashioned to be gull cocked for the present year, because the Contract for them had been order'd before the General officers decided on the change, and I understood the manufacturers of them had so far advanced as to admit of no change in their form without a material loss to the public. I shall make inquiry of the Purveyor, who had the execution and direction of this concern, and at all events see that the Contract for the ensuing year shall produce hats of the proper form and dimensions. For this purpose I must request you to send me a pattern hat — The Purveyor expects also 2 Pattern Haversacks Cockades and loops have always heretofore been furnished by Soldiers under the direction of his Officer. If you are of opinion the public ought to depart from this practice and furnish loops, cockades and materials to work the hats, I shall take measures accordingly. I have directed forty copies of the Baron Steuben's Regulations on the order and discipline of the Troops of the United States to be sent to Colonel Steving, subject to your disposition. I received this morning the enclosed letter from Major Daniel Brad[ley?] you will take such order respecting its object as may be proper. I shall send him recruiting money and suspend giving him any Clothing until I can learn your determination as to the place he is to recruit at. I am Sir with great Respect Your obed Servant James. McHenry Major General Alexander Hamilton