Informs Ruddock that Congress has changed the structure of the Department of Military Stores. Outlines the number of commissaries, deputies, and conductors, and explains their locations. Also relates the pay and benefits associated with each position. Asks if Ruddock will agree to be appointed as deputy of West Point, adding I hope you may as I have much confidence in your integrity and knowledge of yr. business. Also asks him to send a return of all cartridges he has received since the first of last March.

Relays orders from the Commander in Chief George Washington to make a reduction of the troops and respective departments. Orders Ruddock to deliver all the military stores in his possession to Captain William Price and consider himself and any conductors under him no longer in service than it is absolutely necessary for this purpose.

Top of the document features a list of items needed to repair or supply military stores, such as paper for cartridges. Below that is a short note to Colonel John Crane, asking that he provide or procure the above articles for Captain Thomas Seward. Underneath that is a letter to John Ruddock, Commissary at Fishkill, asking him to provide Seward with a variety of supplies, including musket balls and powder papers. Also asks Ruddock to prepare a return of all the stores in the northern department. See GLC02437.01502 for a related letter.

Mentions that a temporary magazine on a redoubt on Constitution Island (near West Point, New York), which is being prepared to house the powder from Fishkill, will be ready in three to four days. Asks that the powder from Newburgh be recovered first. Requests that he appeal to Colonel [Hugh] Hughes [Deputy Quartermaster General for New York State] for teams to transport it.

Writes to accept the offer proposed by General [Henry] Knox in his last letter. Declares that he is under great obligation to the Genl for his favourable opinion of my integrity, I shall ever do my Best Endeavors for the public good and the Genl's approbation. (See GLC02437.01594, in which Knox offers Ruddock the position of deputy commissary of West Point.) Adds in a note that he has enclosed the return of musket cartridges that Knox asked for in his letter, and writes that with Respect to the powder the Coopers are at work upon it will be ready in a day or two.

Writes that Captain [Thomas] Seward has informed him of the ruinous state of brass items in the stores. Suggests the propriety of replacing the cannon, giving them a proper supply of ammunition and sending 20,000 rounds for the infantry - Capt. Seward is pressing for a supply of ammunition as it is expected the enemy will visit the frontier of state soon with a pretty large body of troops. If Heath agrees, Knox asks him to issue an order for Captain Seward to bring to Colonel [John] Crane for items Captain Seward will exhibit to him. Also asks him to order from Mr. [John] Ruddock, Commissary at Fishkill, items like powder and paper for 30,000 cartridges.

Knox informs Ruddock, Commissary of Military Stores at Fishkill, that Matthew Manchester will deliver stores and mortars to Ruddock. Written at Philipsburgh, New York (present-day Sleepy Hollow).