Bruce, Stephen, ?-1801 to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his kind letter. Declares that before he received it, he "had been inform'd of the negociations taking place between the board of Treasury, and [Messrs Robert] Morris & [Jeremiah] Wadsworth for the whole supplies of the Troops, and had accordingly wrote those Gentlemen on the Subject, by our mutual friend Colo. [James] Swan: who was immediately bound to New York." Writes that the proposition of Morris and Wadsworth "does at once preclude any kind of contract of mine with the Board - but as was hinted by you, I am still of opinion that I might be very servicable [sic] to them" if he negotiates a contract for the business in his quarter. Adds, "having already furnish'd every supply that has been call'd for by Genl [Henry] Jackson for the Recruits already raised," he is persuaded he "could continue to supply them to universal satisfaction." While he does not know Wadsworth and Morris personally, several friends have written them on his behalf, and he hopes Knox will consider writing them as well.