Philadelphia, 21 June 1799 Yours of the 20^th instant is before me — I shall give you to know the state of the Arms you mention. I have shewn your letter to the Secretary of War; he says you do not seem, to understand his communication, relative to compensation; he means that your Salary should be at the rate of Twelve hundred and fifty Dollars from the commencement of your Service to the end of the present year: after which, from present appearance he supposes your duty will be so much abridged as to make One thousand Dollars per annum equal to your present allowance — this states the matter at present, and unless he receives your found resignation it will strike fa he entertains an idea that you will depart from your present resolution. — Harris is dissatisfied with his allowance, and tells me to say, he shall be off shortly. — By a letter received from Major Craig, I find he wants to know what you are to receive, in order to press his claim for what he conceives a more adequate compensation for his services. He also talks of retiring. — Sam Parpur I should be left alone — from all quarters complaints are made — I have seen General Hamilton's Estimate for the allowance for a Regiment — it differs considerably from mine, but notwithstanding spending Talents are on his side; I am not convinced that I am wrong — as far as memory serves. Majors have never received Marquees at the Public expence. Nor will the Secretary consent to the allowance now if that is the intended use. I don't conceive the Surgeon, Major and Quarter Master Sergeant were to carry Arms, this seems new to me; yet it may be right. Oil Rags, is a new Requisition — if the Brushes furnished are not sufficient for cleaning the Musquefeans, the [strikethrough: them] to supply what more was necessary — Haversacks in their [strikethrough: departments] are to answer for carrying the Soldiers provisions and Clothing — it seems to me, one will inevitably destroy the other. it was, as formerly — perhaps I am mistaken and the present [strikethrough: more] is the result of [strikethrough: the] experience. — For whose use is the forty Lanterns above my estimate to be provided? — Why is an equal number of Platoons or Pennants to the Men to be supplied? I calculate that not more than two thirds of a Mess would ever be together, and that those on other duty would not need them — indeed if any recruiting serves me, such Supplies were not known in former times. — I calculate five Paring Axes to a Company; the General only asks for ten to a Regiment — suppose one half the Companies are detached, how are they to be supplied? General St. Clair complains that only Six Axes were provided for a Company; a like service may possibly be required of the Troops now raising. — Pen Knives, Spades & Shovels, I consider as a Quarter Master's supply always to attend an Army, and therefore I did not mention them in my Estimate for the present supply; In the General's requisition for Stationary, the Company Books, Wafers, or Sealing was is mentioned — Penknives, Inkstands, and various size paper have usually been furnished, they are not required — I have made these remarks in Vindication of my own Statement, but I shall take no further notice of the difference — The General's plan, I suppose was generally I have nothing more particular to communicate at this time; Shall therefore conclude by assuring you that I am as ever, your most obedient Servant, Samuel Hodgdon Col Ebenizer Stevens