Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Robert Morris

West Point 3 January 1784 -
Sir
I had the Honor to State in a Letter to you dated the 18th [struck: instant] ultimo, that as no Contract had been made for Supplying provisions after this inst combined with the interest of the Season, I was [constrained] to give an order upon Major David Parker & Compy for Three months provisions for the Troops which should be retained here, the same Quantity for the Company which should be Stationed at Springfield in Massachusetts [strikeout] and Six months supply for an Officer [stewarts] men who were directed to take part at Fort Schuyler on the Head of the Mohawk River - It was fortunate I gave the order at that Time, as the Contractors were able to throw in a Small supply before the 26th of Decemb on which Day the River became impraciticable by [strikeout] Ice, & now continued so Since, & probably it cannot be now navigated until the latter End of February -
As the Contract ceased to operate on the [8th] instant I was under the Necessity of appointing a Commissary (Mr Wm Bell who has acted as such under the Contractors) to receive & save the provisions on account of the United States, at the Rate of 25 Dolls - per month & 8 Dolls. for a S[illegible] [man] to continue three months if the supplies should be as they apparently are at present on account of the public - to account [2] weekly weekly for all the Receipts & Issues to the Comdg Officer of the Garrison, who will forward the some [sic] to you monthly -
I cannot however but hope that you will find it convenient to continue the Supplies of provisions by Contract - Experience has established that Mode to be the most efficient & occonomical - The furnishing subsistance Money to the officers has been highly pleasing, & only requires the hard money to be advanced at the Commencement of each month to be perfect - The officers who are retained in service are so few that they flatter themselves that it will be the Case - I have ventured to assure them that if it was compatible with your arrangements I was persuaded you would advance it -
It might be useless Sir for me to mention that the Supplies ordered, are but for a [insert: very] Short period, & that it may be absolutely necessary to take immediate Measures to have them continued - We confide in your arrangements & have no Doubt that you will give the proper Directions for that purpose -
I take the Liberty to request that you will inform Brigd Genl H Jackson or officers commandg here, of your Determinations & that you would have [3] the Goodness to send me a Copy at Boston, for which place I shall soon set out -
I enclose a Return of yr Troops retained in Service & of some invalid officers who have been ordered here to be subsisted -
I have the honor to be
Honl Rob Morris Esqr with the highest esteem and respect
Your humble Servant
H Knox

P.S. There are a few officers [strikeout: who] leaving families [strikeout: which from them] and [strikeout] [struck: perhaps] some infirm officers, who from the particularly circumstances [insert: and being disscharged without pay] cannot [struck: be removed] remove themselves during this winter. I shall therefore [insert: be under the necessity to] direct that they draw their rations or subsistence as it may be certain the first of March [strikeout] which may be deducted from their accounts.

[docket]
3rd Jan 84 Letter to
Rob Morris Esqr
Copy
Package of
37 - Miscellaneous
letters -