Newport 28^th Aug^t 1800 Sir Yours of the 16^th instant has ben rec^d — I wish you would not send the Clothing on the return of any one Captain in my Battalion until the return of the whole is sent together; for if one Ca^pt. is at liberty to send in his separate return and procure his clothing before the other companies it has a tendency to cause murmurings and discontent among the rest. Enclosed you have my returns of Ordnance Military and Q^r. Masters Stores & for what is wanted. The Mortars and Howitzers and [strikethrough: undecipherable] wanted for each Garrison must be left to those who know the number that can be spared by the States. I wish there may be one turn out to two field Pieces and tackling and implements complete for the whole, the field pieces are very much wanted to teach the men the field exercise — The three Medicine Chests & Instruments that were sent from Oxford to Springfield are very much wanted for the garrisons, one is wanted at Portland one Fort Independence one at this place. The Medicine Chest of the 15^th [Aug.?]. I wish you would order here, by ordering the above to be sent to this Garrison will make a saving to government for the want of which almost every day there arises an extra expense, also the medicine and Instruments may be subject to damage while by taken better care of by the different Surgeons mates as they will be held responsible. I also wish you to direct — one [undecipherable: margin?] for my use. The Camp Utensils will be [undecipherable] to be made use of when wanted for the different garrisons. I wish for an order to draw the instruments for a band of music that belonged to the room at Oxford turned into the Store at Springfield. I think with some expense to my self I shall be able to procure & have instructed a sufficient number of Musicians in my my Battation to form a good Band and you will very much oblege Sir your very humble S^t. Daniel Jackson Ma^jr. 2 Reg^t. Art. & Engineers [Docket: Maj^r. [Daniel?] Jackson / 28^th [August] 1800 — / a [undecipherable]] The implements for the Garrison Cannon may be made by our artificers, provided one was authorised to, procure the materials which I think would make a saving to Government; also the flint fires and slow matches if the articles returned for are supplied also the burs for the Shelbs. You will see my returns are very inaccurate oweing to the want of an [undecipherable: uniform?] System in the Returns transmitted me; but in my next I am in hopes to have it remedied I am Sir with respect Your obedient [H^ble. Serv^t.] D. Jackson Samuel Hodgdon Col^l. Superintendent of Military Stores.