War Department, August 29^th 1799. Sir, I received at Trenton on the 27^th instant, your letter dated the 22^nd enclosing a Return and letter from General Wilkinson, relative to Supplies of Clothing for the Troops on the Northern and Southwestern Frontier, and designating the quantity requisite for the present numbers of the Troops as well as the stations for each post, also a letter from Captain [undecipherable] dated Masac the 30^th June last, exhibiting long arrearages of Clothing and Pay due at that post. The letter from Masac occasions your drawing [undecipherable] the deficiency of Clothing mentioned (which it were to be wished was the only instance had occurred) is a lamentable fact, which places in a strong light the necessity of having an extra quantity of Clothing always in deposit at some one of the Western posts." I now recollect but one place on the Northwestern frontier, which has been represented to me, to have been incompletely supplied with Clothing. You will remember that upon an investigation, Major [undecipherable: Rivardi's?] representation & facts appeared incorrect, and that at the time of making his statement to you, there was Clothing at Niagara and Oswego, sufficient for their respective Garrisons, and a surplus, the returns for these posts having been fully complied with. Respecting the deficiency at Masac, I think it proper to inform you, that the requisition or return made by General Wilkinson for Clothing for the frontier Army was duly attended to, and that I apprised him on the 31^st of January that "Clothing has been forwarded to the extent of our means for all the troops on the frontiers, including the [undecipherable] it is however to be regretted that from a failure of the Contract, the [undecipherable] in some instances fallen short of the complement, and in others have been so long delayed, as to produce without doubt, serious sufferings and complaints." The failure of the Contract was occasioned by circumstances not to be controled or avoided — there was an actual want in the United States of some of the Articles necessary for Soldiers Clothing, and some importations ordered of Hosiery and other articles by the Contractor, were captured on their passage at Sea. I take the occasion also to observe, that I consider it the duty of a Commanding General, not only to make Returns of all Articles, among them Clothing wanted for his troops, but to make them in such Season, as to allow of making up, and transporting them to their destinations. That I consider it to be my duty to direct as far as practicable, and as promptly as may be, a compliance with the requisitions made, by causing the delivery of the Articles called for, to the Quarter Master General for transportation. I suppose my duty is completed by such delivery to the Quarter Master — and that all ulterior orders, respecting the destination and distribution of the Articles proportionally at different posts, should exclusively emanate from the Commanding General. If indeed any [undecipherable] [undecipherable], concerned in the [undecipherable], [undecipherable], transportation or delivery of the [undecipherable], shall neglect or [undecipherable] and can no otherwise be legally punished, than by a reference to the [undecipherable] of War, it is proper the Secretary should be informed of the circumstances, that the competent authority may judge what is right to be done on any such occasion that may occur. The [undecipherable] letter from Captain [undecipherable] you may present what the [undecipherable] very [undecipherable] procrastination of pay, that it is extremely to be [undecipherable] the greater exactness in this particular" and [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] have [undecipherable] for a length of time) and accumulating the arrears into a more [undecipherable] numerous" and add "in relation to the subjects of Clothing and pay, [undecipherable] to observe generally, that it is essential to the [undecipherable] that there shall be much more System and punctuality, than have [undecipherable]" On the subject of the pay of the troops, it is proper there should be a clear understanding. The Act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments [undecipherable] for the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] Section 3^d provides, "that there be a paymaster to receive the [undecipherable] monies of the troops of the United States — that it shall be the duty of the said Paymaster to receive from the Treasurer all the monies which shall be entrusted to him, for the purpose of paying the pay, account of pay, Subsistence or Forage, due to the troops of the United States. That [underline: he] shall receive the pay Abstracts of the Paymasters of the several Regiments or [undecipherable], and compare the same with the returns or Muster Rolls which shall accompany the pay Abstracts. That [underline: he] shall certify accurately to the Commanding [undecipherable] due to the respective posts, who shall thereon issue his Warrant on the said Paymaster for the payment accordingly — That copies of all reports to the [undecipherable] Officer, and the Warrants thereon, shall be duly transmitted to the [undecipherable]tant of the War Department in order to be there examined and [undecipherable] admitted at the Treasury." The [undecipherable] Section of the Act for the better organizing of the Troop of the United States and for [undecipherable], passed the 3^d of [undecipherable] last, does not appear to modify or change the duties of the Paymaster General, altho' it may [undecipherable] to his Department for certain purposes. The presumption of the former [undecipherable] one [undecipherable]ffirmative and directory, and make it the duty of the Treasurer, by Section 2^d to disburse all such monies, as shall have been [undecipherable] ordered for the use of the Department of War, by Warrants from the Treasury, and [undecipherable] shall be made, pursuant to Warrants from the Secretary of War countersigned by the Accountant. Under the Act cited I consider the requisition on the [undecipherable] for the pay of the troops rests with the Paymaster General, [undecipherable] to make a demand on the [undecipherable] with the Treasurer to be drawn out on his [undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] Paymaster General [undecipherable] through his [undecipherable] on Warrants [undecipherable] Commanding General or [undecipherable] I suppose [undecipherable] the proper persons, adequate facilities, and [undecipherable] attention to economy and [undecipherable] the payment of the Army. [undecipherable] Monies for the [undecipherable], Subsistence and [undecipherable] of the Army, [undecipherable] are to take the same course. [undecipherable] and the Secretary [undecipherable] only to sanction the disbursement of monies required for all the [undecipherable] purposes, by his Warrants on the Treasurer, and [undecipherable] of the Paymaster, who will [undecipherable] the same according to the Warrants and [undecipherable] of the Commanding General. I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, Your Obt. Servant, James McHenry Major General Alexander Hamilton