Informs Bryant that he will receive 7000 rations from army contractors to be issued in such Quantities upon Returns signed by Capt. Joseph Williams. Indicates that General Henry Jackson will protect the stores and that Daniel Parker & Co. (the contractors) should be paid. See GLC02437.02917 for Knox's retained copy.

Knox gives orders regarding the receipt and distribution of stores to Bryant, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at the Springfield, Massachusetts Armory. The stores will be delivered by Daniel Parker & Co., contractors who provided the army with supplies under contract.

Knox writes to Grant, I have received your favor of the 4th instant, and accordingly we shall rely entirely upon you that the garrison [at West Point] are not out of provisions. Notes that Daniel Parker & Co., a firm that provided the troops with supplies, is too far away to be relied upon. Relates that the issuing commissary at West Point will have to issue a large quantity of rations to the Canadian refugees.

Informs Secretary of War Knox that he has sent a return of military stores for October 1787. Explains a discrepancy in the return for gun powder in detail.

Discusses the furloughs of two soldiers who served under Bryant (refer to GLC02437.10122). The men have to obtain blank discharge forms from army headquarters which must be filled out by Bryant before they can receive their furloughs. Expresses his opinion that Bryant should come to West Point to settle the accounts of the poor fellows (and Bryant's own account) with the army paymaster. Notes that the troops at West Point have received pay for four months of 1783. Instructs Bryant to keep the men serving under him mustered up to the present time.

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aid-de-camp. States he is sorry to hear that Captain Bryant's company is weak but says it is out of my power to add to it, except by ordering such men of the artillery to it, who are unable to do field duty. Approves of Bryant sending samples of fuzes, rockets and tubes of Bryant's making. Asks Bryant to inform Colonel David Mason that Knox applied to Colonel Timothy Pickering for an order on the quarter master in Springfield. Bryant was a member of Colonel Mason's corps of Artillery artificers stationed at Springfield. Public Service written on address leaf with no signature.

Informs Secretary of War Knox that he has sent a return of military stores for July 1787 and discusses work and repairs being done at the armory.