[draft] New Windsor 25 March 1781 Gentlemen- I am again constraind to trouble your honorable board respecting the small number of artificers who have been attachd to the Park of Artillery [struck: in the field]- The men whose names are enclosd have been regularly discargd together with two other [inserted: to] whom [inserted: as I am inform'd] the state of New Jersey will [inserted: as I am informd] [struck: provide for] make up the depreciation of the money. There were some others belonging to this company who have deserted [inserted: by which act] [struck: and whom] I presume have forfeited the fruits of their labor This small corps have been in the field, since the beginning of the campaign of 1777; and have render'd as substantial service to their country as any men in America in the same [strikeout] line. Their behavior has been uncommonly good not one of the present number having ever been punishd or ever confin'd. They are fully entitled to [struck: their pay] have the depreciation of their pay made good [2] to them- I wrote upon this subject to his Excellency the President of Pennsylvania, as these may have always [been] returnd as part of that quota [inserted: of that state]- In his answer which I had the honor to receive dated 27 Feby last he says "with respect to the emoluments it has always been deem'd a hardship on the State, that such a number of artificers should be deem'd of its quota, and it is probable on this ground, that the Assembly have constantly declar'd considering them [inserted: as] of the line. The last House of Assembly tho' in many respects differing from the precedg seem to have adopted this idea in the bill for making up the depreciation, as they did not extend it to the artificers. The very good character these troops sustain make it a matter of some regret that they are not better provided for; [but our] duties being merely executive we can only extend our ineffectual good wishes to them." I hope and earnestly request that your honorable board will see that these [strikeout] industrious men [struck: be some way or] [inserted: are] in some manner compensated for their services for nearly seven years- each man has a certificate of the general rates of his pay [3] and the time to which he has been paid in the nominal sum- The loss of these artificers, whom [struck: not] no terms would induce to stay any longer [struck: leaves destitute] will render us unable to take the field [inserted: as numerous supplies are wanting] unless the arrangement of B[illegible] artificers to the Park take place [struck: insta] immediately, agreeable to your report to Congress I pray your honorable board to complete this as soon as possible and to do me the honor to inform me of the same I have the honor to be Gentlemen Your Hble Sert HKnox Board of War & Ordnance [Written in the left margin of page three: Enclosed is the state of the drums and fifes [inserted: [of the army] & those which are wanting] [struck: wantg for the] Army [struck: which] I wish to be forwarded as illegible] [docket] The board of War 25 March 1781