[Copy] [Circular] New York November 5^th 1799 Sir, Cases have occurred in which Officers from a wish to see their men well equipt, have purchased for them articles not included in the general provisions. These have been admitted in particular instances for special reasons as a public charge; but the Secretary of War has expressed an extreme reluctance to give the practice his sanction, & has signified to me his desire that effectual measures be taken to prevent expectations of reimbursements from being entertained where expenditures have been incured without proper authority. This naturally leads to a reflection on the emoluments of the American Soldiery— They certainly far exceed those which are given in any other service, & every officer of experience will have had occasion to remark that this circumstance as it respects the use most commonly made of the pay has been attended with an injurious rather than a beneficial operation. If the several Commandants could obtain the consent of their Regiments to an application of part of their pay in the purchase of articles of convenience not included in the public provisions, they would remove various difficulties, and render an essential service to the army. It is therefore my wish that you would circulate this idea as much as possible, & embrace every opportunity that may occur of promoting so important an object. With great consideration I am Sir Your Obed^t Sut A Hamilton You will also give orders to the Commandants of the different Posts, Garrisons, or Detachments within your District, not only to include in their [strikethrough: futur] Returns the Artillery, Infantry, or Cavalry, that may be under their Command, but particularly [strikethrough: the] specify from what Regiment or Corps, they are [strikethrough: at] attached, and also the Companies to which they respectively belong; so that the Monthly Returns of your District, found upon them may be entirely correct, and Complete in this respect. I have the honor to be Your most obed^t Serv^t Abraham R. Ellery Ass^t Adjutant Gen^l