[Docketed: June 17^th 1799 / John Allen] [Addressed: Hon. James McHenry / Secy of War] [Notation in second hand: Newton[undecipherable] / June 18. 99] Litchfield June 17. 1799. Sir, Your favour of the 12^th relative to the proposed Contract for Shoes is duly rec'd. It furnishes me, too, with the knowledge of the Cause of the very miserable manner in which the Soldiers are supplied with that Article. Capt. Rannney who is stationed at this place, unites his protestation with those of his men against the scandalous frauds practiced on them. The Shoes which have been dealt out to the men here, I understand the same to be the fact at all the other Stations, are of the very worst Leather and worst manufacture. A march of 20 miles would totally ruin the greater part of them. could the heels of many of them drop off immediately on examining them. The hats of the Soldiers are of the same quality, a renew or two has rendered several of them utterly useless — And the Cloths are but little better, particularly in the [undecipherable: probable reading "matchings"]. By these things the public Service is discountenanced, the Government itself discredited, Very many respectable people impute these defects to circumstances that I would not be often named — they surely deserve, & I trust will undergo, a [undecipherable: probable reading "rigid"] scrutiny. — [underline: they must be traced to their Source.] Permit me also to inform you that the recruiting Service has met with very handsome success. Capt. Renney here already has 56 fine fellows. But Sir, why are they not furnished with Arms? The appearance of so many Soldiers scattered thro' the Country, part of them only properly clad, & none of them with Arms, makes the whole business assume too much of the Air of a Farce. The people call out for more promptness & energy in this business — and really Sir if the administration is to be saved from contempt & ridicule of the Country it must be by a more vigilent & irresistable pressing forward of the proper measures. I am induced to write thus plainly by the murmurs of both Citizens and Soldiers, and which the Interest and honour of the Government demand [strikethrough: that] there should no more causes for. With great respect & esteem I am, Sir, your Obedient John Allen. [Hon. Secy of War]