War Department 31 May 1800 [undecipherable] I had the honour to receive on the [undecipherable] of the present month, your obliging letter of the 26^th of [undecipherable] last, and your memoir relat[ing] to the field piece its carriage and ammunition waggon, invented by you to answer the double purpose of horse and foot Artillery [undecipherable] previously received your models of the new Bavarian field piece [&] and as no letter or description accompanied them I had by [undecipherable] examination, [undecipherable] and comparison, discovered most of the points in which they differed (as your memoir has since informed me) from the field pieces and their appointments [&] in common use - and claim a manifest superiority over those [undecipherable] employed in this Country. I have to thank you [undecipherable] most respectfully for the valuable present you have made to the U. States; it is [undecipherable] of your regard for your native Country, that you should invite them to improvements in so important an object to their defence and security as Artillery, and which if duly attended to will result in incalculable advantages. At the same time that I [undecipherable] your indefatigable pursuits, for [undecipherable] the condition of humanity, will not [undecipherable] of your acceptance of the invitation I had [undecipherable: in the name of the President of the United States] the honour to transmit to you through our minister M^r King, I have a confidence that you will never neglect to impart a full share in the benefits resulting from your scientific labours to the citizens of this Country. This day closes my Official duties as Secretary of War. I go out of Administration. I have however in a letter to my successor recommended his particular attention, to improve our corps of Artillerists & Engineers and also the ordnance. I carry with me into retirement a respectful impression of [undecipherable] the attention, and [undecipherable] you have accorded me while in the Department of War; and should any circumstances afford me an opportunity of being useful to you at Baltimore where I shall reside, or of receiving any communication you may be pleased to favour me with, I shall consider myself honoured and [undecipherable] with the most perfect respect and esteem I have the honour to be your most Ob^t: [The Honourable Count Rumford.]