BE. D. Townsend to R. ParrerRson, U.S. A, May 9, 1861

Maj. Gen. R. ParrerRson, U.S. A., Commanding, &e., Philadelphia, Pa. :

Sim: The letter of General Cadwalader, dated May 4, with inclosure,. on the subject of defective arms and deficient equipments, has been referred to the Colonel of Ordnance. Premising that circumstances en-. tirely beyond the control of the existing government conspired to pro– duce the unfortunate state of affairs represented, I will now commu– nicate to you the remarks of the present Chief of the Ordnance Bureau, for the purpose of showing that it was beyond his power to avoid the inconvenience referred to by General Cadwalader.

ORDNANCE OFricr, May 8, 1861. The arms within pacaa to were issued in compliance with an order of 19th April, 1861, to the commanding officer of Frankford Arsenal by telegraph, per the Ordnance Office, to issue to General Patterson 5,000 smooth-bore muskets. The number of these arms at the arsenal was just 5,000, and no more or no other arms could possibly be issued. When, as in this case, and *probably i in many others, under the present excitement and pressure, the very best is done that the utmost industry and energy of officers can accomplish with the available means of the Government, such charves as the within are cruelandunjust. This department, and every officer in it, is Just as anxious to supply the best arms to all the troops as they are to get them, but it is simply impossible to do so now. Respectfully returned. JAS. W. RIPLEY, Lieutenant-Colonel Ordnance. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,