Thoughts on the int[—] [—] Military Stores depart[ment] Since, seeing you I have revolved in my mind the subject on which we discoursed— On examining the system for the War Department, I find similar powers to those at first given for the government of it. [The?] and a [Junction?] of Commissioners, and afterwards when confined to one under the Character of [continued] Secretary at War, are [tending?] to the present Head of the Department— By the Board, and to the former Secretary my Department were always amenable altho under the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the appointments were made immediately by Congress—under the latter [undecipherable] determining what Offices should be [undecipherable] but having made the persons who filled them [undecipherable] accountable for the faithful discharge of the duty [undecipherable] appointment with him— [undecipherable] those now a [Sinecure: undecipherable] my present appointment— Thus far it seems the present system supersedes me and all that were appointed by General Lincoln And the resolution of the 1[4?] of November [undecipherable] made for for the conduct of the business, after his resignation is all that remains to be considered by Congress and for the repeal of that resolution the motion [undecipherable] before them was made— when this is effected the Department is annihilated and its substitute is to be organized by [undecipherable] Jones— The Committee it seems thinks this more eligible and will accordingly report in favor of the abolition— Every retrenchment [&] expense [undecipherable] is agreeable to me because they are favorable to the [welfare?] of the Public credit— but ought not the Committee to know, the [undecipherable] the management of the business in future, to determine whether a saving will eventually be effected— the Stores being immense and [scattered?] over the face of the Continent will demand the constant attention of an intelligent person for the [security?] of them as well as the Towns where they are deposited— while they remain the property of the States they must be thus attended to— or serious consequences may be expected— this being granted— and granted I am am sure it must be— it only remains to determine whether [a?] [undecipherable] War Office [undecipherable] is not as likely to preserve the business Shall be continued as the appointments [undecipherable] as formerly is submitted to the [undecipherable] of War— [undecipherable] our part were entirely [undecipherable] I should think it reputable thus far to follow the customs of all other Nations— as to [appoint?] Characters by which their affairs shall be distinguished by the appointments vested in whom they may— I shall only further add for the information of the Committee— that a considerable time will be necessary for adjusting the affairs of the Department after the abolition takes place— those in whose charge the Stores at present are must repair to the principal of the Department for the settlement of their accounts— and if they are not continued in [honorable?] other posts— they must at least stay until [undecipherable] disposition is made— the [prolixity?] of my [undecipherable] an [apology?]— [undecipherable] acknowledgment I [depend on your goodness?]