[Draft] [Docket on verso: 21 June 1799 / James [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] War Dep.^t 21 June 1799 D.^r Sir, I have received your letter, dated Litchfield, [strikethrough: his] 17^th inst, and thank you for the free and friendly communications it contains. [strikethrough: It is in this by which [undecipherable] the that we are only advertised of any [undecipherable] an economy into [undecipherable]] It is much to be regretted, that any part of the soldiers cloathing should fail in quantity or quality at any time, and particularly at the present when every encouragement should be offered that might induce respectable native citizens to enter into the army. Circumstances however, over which there is no controul, will sometimes occur, that [strikethrough: accidental activity of no avail, and] of cloathing will occasion deficiencies in the quantity, or require a change of materials. [strikethrough: All of this [undecipherable] happened last year:] [strikethrough: the last year.] Of the first I shall say nothing because [strikethrough: the other [undecipherable]] a sufficiency of white kerseys for vests and overalls, and of blue Cloth suitable for coats could not be found in the U.S. in consequence of which neither [strikethrough: the old contracts nor could also] on the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] and of captains, of the former article sent for by the contractor himself, it became impossible [strikethrough: him] to comply with his contract [strikethrough: [undecipherable] the requisite quantity for the additional [undecipherable]] and for the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] to procure [strikethrough: what did not exist.] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] It will be recollected, that the quantity of cloathing wanted per [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] new regiments [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] is very considerable; that the Spring ships, by which we were to export a great part of the materials [strikethrough: to supply [undecipherable] deficiency, in [undecipherable] materials [undecipherable] to [undecipherable],] to arrive, have not yet all made their appearance, and that it requires a vast exertion after the materials [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] provided to make up so many thousand suits; and that being obliged [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] to purchase [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] at all [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] answer the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] be some [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] varieties in the quality [strikethrough: of [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] To guard as much as possible against such deficiencies in future, I have directed [strikethrough: the] Purveyor to engage [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] manufacturers in Massachusetts to be [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] employed [strikethrough: Both] Hats and shoes ought not to be defective in quality — When this happens, there [strikethrough: or [undecipherable] who [undecipherable] them.] must have been inattention in the Inspectors — [strikethrough: The former had] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] is intended and was supposed to be, of the same quality, [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] as [those] for the army, [strikethrough: were,] before and since my coming into office. The bad quality [strikethrough: both these articles] of [strikethrough: [undecipherable], from] your representation of these [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] Col. [undecipherable] will induce me, to have a strict inquiry made into its cause. I shall likewise request Col. Wadsworth, to whom I shall forward two pairs of pattern shoes — with a view to a more perfect comparison of quality, and [strikethrough: near] price, [strikethrough: To [undecipherable] to] contract for one thousand pair in Connecticut. You may be pleased to inform [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] of this circumstance that he may be in season to make his proposals. The enclosed letter, will show you that arms were ordered to be delivered at the armory at Springfield for Co. [undecipherable] Regiment, and transported to the place or places of rendezvous he should direct. That Col. Wadsworth had similar orders respecting and a [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] of Cartouche boxes. Col. Wadsworth had similar orders respecting [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] with very great esteem & regard I am Sir [undecipherable] Humble James [undecipherable]