War Department May 25th 1803
Jos. Perkin
Harper's Ferry Armory
Sir
There being a deficiency of rifles in the public Arsenels, and those on hand not being as well calculated for actual service as could be wished. It is considered advisable to have a suitable number of judiciously constructed Rifles manufactured at the Armory under Your direction. You will therefore take the necessary measures for commencing the manufactory as soon as may be after completing the Muskits now in hand. The Barrels of the Rifles should not exceed two feet nine inches in length and should be calculated for carrying a ball one thirtieth of a pound weight- the barrels should be round from the muzzle to within ten inches of the Britch, and not of an unnecessary thickness especially in the round part- the stock should not extend further than the tail pipe, from thence to within three inches of the muzzle, an Iron rib should be substituted for that part of the stock- the ramrod should be of Steel and sufficiently strong for forcing down the ball without binding- the but end of the ramrod should be concaved suited to the shape of the Ball- the locks should be light & well executed- the mountings should be brass- If you should be of opinion that any improvements may be made on the above construction or any parts thereof, you will be pleased to inform me of such improvmemets as you may think will be useful. I have had such convincing proof of the advantage the short rifles has over the long ones (commonly used) in actual service as to leave no doubt in my mind of preferring the short rifle, with larger Calibers than the long ones usually have & with stiff Steel ramrods instead of wooden ones- the great facility which such rifles afford in charging, in addition to their being less liable to become foul by firing, gives a decided advantage to men of equal skill and dextirity over those armed with the common long rifle.

I am very respectfully Sir.
HENRY DEARBORN
("U.S. Firearms, 1776-1956, Notes on United States Ordnance, Volume 1" by James E Hicks, page 25)