Decius WADSWORTH (1768-1821) Officer in the U.S. Army who served as ordnance chief during the War of 1812. He headed the Ordnance Department until 1821 where he drafted uniform regulations for the armory system and the manufacture of ordnance for the U.S. Army. In 1817, Wadsworth developed a cipher system based on one designed by Thomas Jefferson. Wadsworth’s system would remain the standard (with additions and improvements) until the Second World War.

Important Autograph Letter Signed “Decius Wadsworth“, 3pp., 335 x 200 mm. (12 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.), Washington, 19 June 1813 to Congressman George Michael Troup (1780-1856) offering his recommendations for the reorganization of the Ordnance Department soon after its creation by Congress in May 1812.

“The Ordnance Department as originally organized, consisted of one Commissary General, one Assistant Commissary General four Deputies, and not exceeding eight assistant Deputies. At the last Session of Congress, an Augmentation of the assistant Deputies to 15 was authorized. The duties of the ordnance department as prescribed by law are various and important. Such as 1. Inspecting and proving, Cannon, Cannot Shot, Shells and Gunpowder. 2. Superintending the Construction of Gun Carriages, Ammunition, Waggons [sic], Equipment for Cannon and all Machines used by the artillery in Garrison or Field. 3. Preparing ammunition both for the artillery and Infantry, and all kinds of ordnance stores. 4. Furnishing to the Secretary of War, Semiannual Returns, exhibiting the actual state of the ordnance and ordnance Stores, throughout the United states together with the necessary Estimates of wear, Tear & Expenditure on which to found Contracts and Purchases to ensure future adequate Supplies. 5. Visiting and inspecting the Several Forts Ports and Camps in the United States to see that the ordnance & ordnance Stores are kept in Serviceable order properly distributed and economically expended. The ordnance Department, as at present filled[?], seems inadequate to the discharge of these Duties. General [William Henry] Harrison has judged it necessary to appoint on his own Authority one Deputy Commissary and two assistant Deputies, to act with the Army under his Command. General [James] Wilkinson has selected one officer of artillery to act as a Deputy Commissary and appointed another ad interim to the the Station of Assistant Deputy General. Generals [sic] Dearborn and General Bloomfield have each appointed an officer of the artillery to act in the ordnance Department. And lastly General Pinckney is solicitous to have two assistant Deputies appointed for the District under his command in addition to one deputy already under his Command. It has been decided by the War Department to establish three principle Laboratories and Arsenals, one at or near Albany, one at or near Pittsburgh, and one on the Waters of the Chesapeake. At each of these Establishments thirty or forty Workmen will be employed, which will require at least one Superior Officer and three or four inferior at each Station. The arsenals and Laboratories will therefore alone require 15 or 16 officers. To each military district one deputy Commissary ought at least to be allowed . My Opinion is therefore the Deputy Commissaries ought to be increased to 11 or 12, leaving the Number of Assistant Deputies at 16 as not established. Nor should we be deterred by the Idea of increased Expence [sic] In fact a great deal of Money would be saved by making systematic arrangements in Relation to this Branch of the Service. We cannot possibly avoid these Expensces; in some Way or other they must be incurred. Cannon, their Carriages and Equipments for our Armies in the Field, our Posts on the Frontier and the fixed and moveable Batteries on the Seaboard must be provided. Powder Shot and Shells must at any rate be procured. The appropriations for the ordnance Supplies I am informed amount to upwards of one Million of Dollars, and the future annual Expenditure during the War will probably not be less. It is worth while to incur some Expence to ensure the faithful judicious and …economical [sic] Expenditure of such an sum of Money. I know an instance where $120 per ton has by the Interference of Militia officers been paid for Cannon shot on the very spot where the United States had contracted to have them delivered at $72 per ton. Such Extravagancies will be continually taking Place while chance and momentary Exigencies regulate the Supplies to be furnished to the military Posts in our extensive Country. Besides, while the ordnance department remains inadequate to the discharge of its duties incessant complaints will arise of Want of ammunition Want of Artillery, Arms and Accoutrements and other Articles essential to Protection and Defence [sic].”

On 14 May 1812, Congress authorized the creation a separate Ordnance Department and Wadsworth was placed in charge as Commissary of Ordnance—the name changing later to Chief of Ordnance. During his tenure, he composed a set of regulations to ensure standardization and in the armories and the manufacture of ordnance as well as setting standards for small arms and reducing the types used. Wadsworth served in that capacity until he left the service in 1821.

Weak at folds with partial separations, minor marginal wear and light, even toning, else good condition.

(EXA 4715) $1,000