[June 17^th. 1799] [John Allen] [Rec'd 2] [Rec'd Jan 18. 99] [Ansr. James McHenry] [Sec'y of War] [Philadelphia] Litchfield June 17. 1799 Sir, your favour of the 12^th relative to the proposed Contract for [undecipherable] is duly rec'd. It furnishes me, too, with the knowledge of the Course of the very miserable manner in which the Soldiers are supplied with that Article. Capt. Ranney who is stationed at this place, unites his protestation with those of his men against the scandalous, [undecipherable] practices on them. The shoes which have been dealt out to the men here, I understand the [undecipherable] to be the fact at all the other stations, are of the very worst leather and [undecipherable: of the worst] manufacture. A march of 20 miles would totally ruin the greater part of them — and the heels of many of them drop off immediately on travelling them. The half of the Soldiers are of the same quality — a rend or two has rendered several of them utterly useless — and those that are but little better, particularly for the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] — the public Service is discredited, the Government itself discredited. Very many respectable people impute these defects to circumstances that should not be often named — they surely deserve, & I trust will undergo, a 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 [undecipherable] — Capt. Ranney here already has 36 fine fellows. But why are they not furnished with Arms. The appearance of so many Soldiers scattered thro' the Country, not even only properly clad, & none of them with Arms, makes the whole business appear too much of the air of a farce. The people call out for more promptness & energy in this business — and really, if the administration is to be saved from [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Country it must be [undecipherable] more vigilent & irresistable [undecipherable] 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 Jn^o. Allen, [Hon. Sec'y of War]