[Sec^y of War.] Purvyor Department May 9. 1800. Sir I have the honour of your Favour of this days date directing me to purchase as soon as may be linen sufficient for the Supply of twelve thousand Shirts for the army and to have them made up with as much expedition as possible. In obedience to your notable order I had already purchased a small quantity of german linen called Ozeas which appears to me the best kind for the purpose, tho' the article and indeed all other linens of a similar kind seem so that rise so that I do not think the estimation for the requisite fund ought to be less than one dollar & twenty Cents p^r Shirt, and including the extra price for Sergeants I submit to you the propriety of appropriating the sum of fifteen thousand dollars for this object. — I have informed myself of the markets at Baltimore and New York and shall embrace every opportunity of making the most advantageous purchases. — But as present it does not appear to me that there is any preference over the market here — I am &c