War Department [redacted] 29 May 1800 Sir In the table I have used, while in my Department of War, you will find a Packet inscribed "letters be referred to my successor [undecipherable] M'Henry" — Those papers relate to several subjects which will require and were recommended to your serious deliberations, On all or most of them I have made some notes. I take the liberty also to mention some measures I have taken, directions I have lately given, and [strikethrough: also] a few general objects of the Department which may require peculiar attention. Directions have been given to the Major Generals Hamilton & Pinckney, to issue orders and take measures, the most efficient, to ensure the discharge, on the 14th day of June next, of all such officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, as have theretofore been appointed, commissioned or raised, under and by virtue of "an act campile of infantry — and all military articles, with every part of the army to be discharged. And to have forwarded, [undecipherable] from the residue of the clothing for the twelve Regiments, the full complement of a Regiment of Infantry, one half to be distributed with the agent for the War Department at Savannah, the other half with the agent at Knoxville, Temper, subject to the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas [undecipherable] Burtles. Also from the same residue, agreeably with the returns made, to Natchez or Loftus Heights upon the Mississippi, complete suits of Infantry clothing for forty one [undecipherable] sergeants, twenty three musicians and four hundred and fifty three privates. — and to Pittsburgh to the address of Major Isaac Craig complete suits of Infantry clothing for fifty sergeants, 30 musicians, and 700 privates. I have further advised Brigadier General Wilkinson of the quantity of clothing sent to the Mississippi and Pittsburgh and that it is expected he will cause the same to be divided into the parcels he may destine for different garrisons or detachments on the Mississippi tombs [undecipherable] * And lest the residue of the new army clothing should not be found [undecipherable] sufficient I have directed the quantity that may be and forwarded deficient to be provided out of the clothing public store. to augment the army of the United States and for other purposes" and the 9th section of "an act for the better organizing of the troops of the United States and for other purposes" conformably to the express orders of the President. And the directions of the Commanding General to the Pay-Master General have been enforced by me — to forward sufficient monies to the proper officers, to pay the officers and men within the purview of "an act supplementary to the act to suspend part of an act entitled "an act to augment the army of the United States, and for other purposes" passed the 14th instant, as well up to the 14th of June, when they are to be discharged, as the three months additional pay allowed by the 39 section of the last cited act, to every such discharged officer, non-commissioned officer and private respectively. 2d. To the Superintendants of Military Stores to take effectual measures, for securing and transporting through the agency of the Quarter Master General, to proper places of deposit, the residue of cloathing, tents and north western [undecipherable] and direct the Quarter Master to have the parcels duly transported. I have also given similar information and advice to D. Col. Burtlin relative to the cloathing, designed for the troops under his command. 't * A sufficiency of new cloathing has [been intended to be] been cut out for the Regiments of Artillery and Engineers and will want the orders of the Secretary respecting its distribution. Cloathing also has been cut out for the Infantry [strikethrough: payments] on the old establishment, to what amount having received no report cannot be ascertained. It was a proposition of the General Officers, that the army cloathing, should be cut out and sent to the respective corps and detachments, to be made up by the Taylors in each Company, at the stated allowance by Law — believing that beneficial effects, would result upon its adoption, and the men certainly be better fitted 4. In pursuance of the 24^th section of "an act for the better organizing of the troops of the United States and for other purposes" passed the 3^d of March 1799. By my directions, cloath and other materials except buttons for cloathing the army, have been imported through the agency of Mr William Chancellor of Philadelphia, to the amount of dollars; and I have specially instructed the superintendent of military stores, to attend to the preservation of this cloath. It will however in my opinion be proper, my successor in office should receive more instructions, and from time to time ascertain that his orders are strictly attended to — otherwise the white cloath in particular, may be greatly injured or totally destroyed by moths. 5. The Indian stipends engaged by treaties — have been directed to be prepared and forwarded, viz. those for the North Western Indians to Cincennatie; that for the Chuckasaws to the Chuckasaw Bluff — that for the Cherokees to Tellico Block house — that for the Creeks to the Factory at Fort Wilkinson, that for the Choctaws to the Natchez [strikethrough: that for the Six Nations to Canandaigua] — 6. It is especially and respectfully recommended to my successor, to make himself as soon as possible, minutely acquainted with the actual state of the Indian Superintendencies and also with the system, which has been adopted and is now in execution for ameliorating the condition of the Indians, and keeping them at peace with, and attached to, the United States. I cannot but flatter myself, that the efficiency of this system, conceived by the late President, will not be impaired under the direction of my successor, having had its success much at heart — and leaving under its beneficial influence, which must increase with time, the great body of Indians in all parts of the United States, will [strikethrough: affected] [strikethrough: disposed] to the interests of our Country — friendly to each other — indisposed to war, and [strikethrough: rapidly] advancing in civilization. +(8) 7^h. The Indian trading houses or Factories upon the Oconce and at Tellico, will also demand particular attention. The Law for establishing them contemplates that the capital shall be employed, in such a manner as not to be reduced by the profits; suffer no loss. The President has lately authorized, the sending of an intelligent, confidential and disinterested person along the western frontiers, to examine into the state, condition, kinds and mode of +(6) To aid this system a series of medals in silver & bronze have been procured from England with devices elegantly executed, emblematick of the progressive states of man from the Savage, to the earliest arts of civilized life. These were intended to be distributed, by the Superintendants as encouragements, to those of the Indians, who should make the greatest advances in raising cattle, the cultivation of their lands, and the domestic manufactures of spinning and weaving. They are deposited in [strikethrough: found] boxes in the Bank of the U.S., except a few which are in a desk in the Secretary's room at the War Office — the key of which will be left enclosed for my successor. I have taken to myself, [strikethrough: wishing to preserve necessity relative to] [strikethrough: this documents of General Washington, and] by them children [undecipherable] to access to my posterity [undecipherable] — I have had on the [undecipherable] of his benevolent [strikethrough: for the reason] [strikethrough: fearful] two of each of the three sets forming the series. wishing to preserve future evidences of the benevolent intentions of the administration of General Washington towards the Indians, and preserving, and distributing the public property in that quarter — he will also be especially charged to examine into, and report the state of the factories, mode of conducting business at them, capacities and characters of the conductors. 8. Early attention will be requisite to the executions of existing contracts for casting cannon within the United States. It is recommended that no person be permitted to inspect and prove cannon, or certify said contracts whose skill and integrity do not furnish a complete guarantee to the public against every improper influence. 9. It is recommended to my successor, to direct the accountant for the Department, to proceed without delay, to the final settlement of the accounts of the Pay-Master General, which has it is understood been delayed, under different pretences, until the amount unsettled is seriously great, and to use the same conduct with respect to [strikethrough: the accounts of] all other public agents — and [strikethrough: accountants] to the [undecipherable] contractors — it being my opinion, that the best security to the public against frauds and improper expenditures, will be found — in the practice of obliging every person charged with public money, to settle his accounts for disbursement at at short and fixed periods. 10. With respect to the contingent expenses and extra compensation to officers for extra service, I have with regret to inform you, that a new principle lately set up by the accountant viz. "that whenever a person holds an office, to which the law has annexed pay and emoluments, he cannot be allowed extra compensation for extra services, except by Congress, and in virtue of an express law" has stagnated the discretion always heretofore used by the Secretary of War on such subjects. That as the Department is by its constitution, to be conducted in such manner as the President of the United States, shall order or instruct — I have referred this principle, with a few cases obstructed by it, to the President for his orders and instructions, but have not yet had the honour to receive them. In this [undecipherable] which is recorded under date of the 2^d. April last in reference, I stated the new principle to be in my conception, utterly incompatible with the good of the military service — inconsistent with all former practice during the revolutionary war, and since in all the Departments, and calculated to paralyze the energies of the Executive throughout all its branches [strikethrough: of the government]. n b 11. The improvement of the corps of Artillery, and Engineers, has been to me an object of much attention. I have attempted modifications of them, the attainment of a corps of Engineers, peculiarly indispensable to a Country, possessing some — and the establishment of a military academy; if these projects have not been successful, I flatter myself they have not been absolutely rejected. I will however observe, that the importance of the corps of Artillery & Engineers, even as now arranged, must be too evident to need elucidation — but that unless the greatest care is taken, in filling up future vacancies, and to induce further improvements in them, they will prove an yearly expense, without conveying even a promise of correspondent practical advantages. 12. Will it be permitted to mention, that I have employed on the fortifications erecting at Baltimore, in the capacity of Engineer, a French gentleman of the name of [Foncier?], and that evidences of ability in his profession, by correcting errors of much consequence, in the original plan of the works, as well as agility in superintending and directing their proceedings induced me to raise the compensation he was first engaged at. This gentleman I would recommend to be continued in employ as heretofore — being much mistaken, if he will not be found, worthy of trust, competent to what he has undertaken, upright and unassuming in his conduct. 13. For the purpose of establishing an armory or manufacture of small arms, a site was selected on the Potomac, near Harpers ferry, particularly recommended by the late President, and the ground with certain buildings already erected on it, purchased. Progress has been made in this establishment, and the commencement of the fabrication of arms, has been some time made; much however yet remains to be done, to carry it to maturity, the completing of a canal begun and in considerable forwardness and the necessary buildings, at this armory for the comfortable accommodation of the Superintendent &c. will demand your immediate and minute attention. Detachments from the troops, under the command of Major General Pinckney, have been from motives of economy employed on the canal. As however these men, must be withdrawn on the 14th of June next, the day fixed for disbanding the new army, it will be proper that reasonable arrangements, should be made, to supply their places, by hired labourers — or delay will be occasioned in completing an important establishment. Major General Pinckney mentions in a letter to me, dated the 22 instant to the hints in this cantonment "in the vicinity of the army one well built and valuable, some person should be appointed to take charge of them as well as those on the hill." You may perhaps think it proper to apply the [residue?] of the materials of those huts, as not fit for the purposes towards the erection of the necessary buildings at the armoury. 14. Imbued with a conviction, that the cannon contemplated to be purchased by "an act to enable the President of the U.S. to procure cannon [arms?], and ammunition, and for other purposes" passed the 4^th of May 1798. were intended to be efficient, and the best adapted to the several kinds of service, to which they must be applied — and knowing that the measures which have, nor any that can be taken, to procure cannon by purchase, for the use of the U.S. either by importation from abroad or manufacture at the different private foundaries at home, could never ensure; that at present uniformity uniformity in models, weight, caliber and consistency of metal necessary to the perfection, and full utility of the advance of every Country — also having a more grounded expectation — that metal could be had in the U.S. adjacent to one of our national armouries, superior to any that had been used, for the guns procured by purchase — and believing provision was made by the 3^d section of the act cited, enabling to purchase foundaries in case such establishments, should be found necessary, — I wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Navy on the 20^th of March last, informing that — the two Departments should join in a representation to the President, recommending the purchase of a site for a cannon foundary, and of ore, the best adapted for ordnance, in exclusive propriety to the U.S. — and also a permanent national establishment for casting cannon and shot. I inclosed a report by Major Tousard, relative to some experiments made by him on a very light gun, cast from metal, the ore of which is found near Harpers Ferry, and cursorily Touched upon advantages I supposed to be peculiar to the site, from its vicinity to a national armory, and added, that the lightness combined with strength, of the guns, which would probably be cast from this metal, seem to recommend it for those designed for ships, and to promise that the iron fabricated from it, would be very suitable for small arms. To this letter the Secretary of the Navy replied on the 7^th of March last, expressing a decided opinion, that the U.S. ought to possess one or more such establishments as the one proposed, a belief that the vicinity of Harpers Ferry on the Potomac was a very proper place for one such establishment — and a free consent that he be considered as joining in an application to the President recommending the measure proposed — suggesting however — that further experiments should be made on the ore in question, to ascertain precisely the expectations, that might be formed of it. Other experiments being made and the results reported on the 26 & 30 April last by Major Tousard, on eight guns cast from the same metal, and some necessary inquiries made respecting the value of the land, and the wood and water on the proposed sites, as well as the title of the same — all of which have been communicated to the Secretary of the Navy. I on the 1^st of May by a letter detailing as far as known to me, every circumstance, and inclosing every paper I was possessed of relative to the measure. solicited the Presidents direction. Whether the proposed site and ore should be purchased, and a national foundary for casting cannon shot and shells be there established. The President answered as follows Philadelphia May 5^th 1800 Sir. I have read with attention, and duly considered, your letter of the 1^st of this month. and all the papers inclosed with it, and am of opinion, that the public interest, and service requires that the proposed site and ore be purchased at the best terms, which can be obtained, and a national foundary for casting cannon, shot & Shells established; and I authorise you, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Navy, to execute this business as soon as possible. John Adams. W^m M^cHenry Secretary of war. where what has been done respecting this purchase, was done in conjunction with the Secretary of the Navy, whom I leave in the execution of those duties of the War Department, — this business of which I of course, upon your arrival at the seat of government, turn over to you. To him I respectfully refer you — for the papers now made, and which shall be made by him in completing this purchase. 16. The armory or manufacturing for small arms at Springfield Massachusetts, an establishment of some contemplated importance, I had supposed was well conducted, and likely to become important to the public. The superintendent employed there was constantly represented by respectable gentlemen, some of them in Congress, and well acquainted with him, to be a man of integrity, industry, and attention to his trust, and the work done at the Armory, especially of late has been satisfactory. Apparent facts, and circumstances, have however recently evolved, which affect the character of the [strikethrough: superintendent] and discover improper practices necessary to be checked. The measures taken to investigate the facts and circumstances — by an inquiry to be made by respectable and intelligent gentlemen in the vicinity of Springfield — and above all influence — will be seen — as approved by the President — on the books of the Office. Perhaps immediate orders would be proper, to prevent in future apprentices to private persons, from being employed as workmen in the armoury, borne on the muster rolls, and paid, for the benefit of their masters. This practice would appear to lead to abuses. 15. * A Lot of ground was purchased last summer near Philadelphia and on the river Schuylkill, for the purpose of another establishment, that of a military Laboratory, magazines for the safe keeping of all the Powder — military stores and other property under the controul of the War Department. and thought expedient to be deposited in the middle district of the Union. This measure, documents on file will evince, was undertaken after mature reflection, consultation with the Heads of Departments, and with their approbation approbation [three of the Heads of Departments] as well as that of the President. The necessary buildings were commenced, as soon as practicable after the purchase of the Lot, and some of them are far advanced. In a short time, one or more of the store will be ready to receive the articles they were intended to preserve. Orders will be necessary for the removal of the military articles, now stored in Philadelphia, to the new deposits; as they are progressively completed, and regulations will be indispensable, for the arrangement of the [strikethrough: military stores and] government of the persons employed as Laboratory Officers, Directors; Superintendants; store keepers; or in such other capacities as may be thought proper, as well as for the arrangement and preservation of the ammunition, small arms, cannon, cannon carriages — cloathing or materials therefor, and other articles when removed. The regulations mentioned will demand peculiar attention, if a good system is adopted. The public will in a little time, not only attain an exemption from the payment of large sums in store rent [strikethrough: below keepers], but from the higher state of preservation in which every article will be kept, the very soon fully remunerated for the cost of the establishment. Hitherto military articles when wanted have been to seek for, in a great number of private deposits — scattered throughout the U.S., consequently considerable expense has been incurred in rents and salaries to store keepers and as the very extended superintendance required from the proper Officers, (the Superintendent of military Stores) made it impossible, it should in all cases be very particular — the property itself, has been much exposed to loss, or destruction, either from inattention in those charged with its care, or other causes. I have long thought, and have directed the Superintendent accordingly — that beneficial results would arise from his visiting these depositaries of military stores — as they be bound at least once a year, on account of the certainty he would then have, that the different kinds of articles, were stored in buildings, suitable for them respectively, and the superior vigilance that would be excited in the persons charged with their custody. The answer however has always been, that it was impracticable for him (the Superintendent) to leave the seat of Government. It may deserve consideration — whether it would not be right, to send a person of sufficient intelligence to visit those scattered depositaries, and report generally and specially [strikethrough: articles] actual inspection, the quantity, and kinds of articles in each, the suitableness of the store for the kinds, as well as the character and attention paid to his trust, by every person charged with the custody of military articles. To produce some exemption from and waste, or loss from their being [been] divided into so many distinct deposits & superintendencies, from expense in rents, and a certainty of having our military articles well preserved and at all times prepared for use — it has been contemplated, to erect in addition to the one in question, in two or three other parts of the Union military depots. Documents in the office will show the several places where it was thought best to establish them, having reference to the convenience and probable wants of the different States. 17. M^r Newman a young gentleman, [strikethrough: some time since] introduced into the office of the Secretary of War, as a Clerk, has been employed in the extra business, as translator of the French and German Languages. I had reserved a [strikethrough: some sixty] of the appropriations for the whole number of Clerks, to compensate him for this service, which I request may be attended to. I would also suggest, that it was my intention to increase his salary, which was at first fixed at 500 dollars per annum, having found him faithful, diligent, unassuming, and possessed of talents sufficient, with a little more experience, to become extremely useful. 18. A young gentleman whose name I cannot at present recollect, [strikethrough: on the files and] [strikethrough: recommendation] [undecipherable] on the recommendation of [strikethrough: Humphrey Lee?] some time [undecipherable] native of Virginia has been invited to [join?] and agreed to fill a vacant clerkship in the office. From the specimens I have seen of his epistolary stile, and the account [strikethrough: to given] [he found] of his talents I flatter myself he will [be found] [strikethrough: most] deserving of the appointment [strikethrough: then] and of [being] salary, has been fixed for the first year at 600 Dollars, which he has been promised. This letter has been written in too much haste to be correct, and during my engagements, in the current business of the [strikethrough: office and] department and these indispensable arrangements preparatory to my divesting myself of an official situation [strikethrough: it was intended to comprise.] [strikethrough: I intended it should be more] [strikethrough: It comprises most of the objects of the Department] of sufficient importance [strikethrough: and has been covered, as sufficiently important,] to require your particular attention: I may [strikethrough: known] have omitted several which will appear to you with those I have noticed, equally important and interesting. As such present, I shall esteem it my duty, to give you every information and explanation in my power. — With the most sincere wish that you may fill the office of Secretary of war, with [strikethrough: popularity] [supulating?] to yourself and advantage to your Country, I have the honour to be, Sir your most Ob^t Hbl S^r James M^cHenry To the Secretary of War.