War Department, May 2^nd 1800. Sir, I have just received a letter from Col. Stevens of this date, a copy of which with the Accounts is enclosed. The reference relative to the Overalls, it appears to me may be adjusted without my intervention. Soldiers were at an inclement Season destitute of a necessary article of Dress. Col. Stevens made an offer to provide it for them; he was authorized to do so, under the restriction that the Overall should not exceed a given price — The estimated quantity of cloth to make given numbers of Overalls was sent to several Captains of Companies for their Men — the quantity in every instance but one is alledged to have answered — In one instance a great deficiency is stated. If Col. Stevens can establish the delivery to the Officer who states the deficiency, of a sufficient quantity of cloth to make the number of Overalls he called for, allowing the same pattern to each pair, that suffices in the other instances Col. Stevens cannot be considered as answerable for waste, or loss in the cutting of the article out. With respect to the Soldiers which he employed on the Fortifications at New York as Labourers, and who have been allowed and paid as stated in his account, Three Shillings per day York money — Had I been consulted by the Agent I should not have allowed more than one Sixth of a Dollar or at the utmost Twenty five Cents: He having however allowed them, for reasons which no doubt had their weight with him a higher compensation, the same is to be admitted. I am Sir, Your obed^t Servant, James McHenry The Accountant of the War Department, --- [Copy] Philadelphia 2. May 1800. Sir On the adjustment of my account for Overalls supplied a part of the Army a difficulty has arisen in consequence of a letter sent by Captain Stille to the Accountant informing him that the Cloth received for his men fell short twenty nine pair of the number for which it was delivered. How this should have happened I am at a loss to determine, for no such complaint was made from any other quarter where similar supplies was made, at any rate as the supply was a dictate of humanity, on advance of my own money without any expectation or desire of emolument I cannot think that Justice or policy will warrant the charge of the alledged deficiency to me. To you I submit the decision — Another item in my account is questioned — The employing Soldiers as labourers on the works carying under my direction — As long as I have known the Army the employing Soldiers with a small additional pay has been practised and the oeconomy of the measure is in my mind a full justification of it — This also is submitted to your decision which permit me to request may be early communicated. — I am Sir &c Ebenez Stevens James McHenry Eq^r Secretary of War