[Letter from the Secretary of War of 9 May 97 Enclosing a Return of the Military Stores &Munitions] War Office May 9 1797 Sir, Your letter of the 23 ultimo acknowledging the receipt of the public arms and accoutrements from Colⁿ Williams Allen has come to hand. I now enclose to you a copy of a return of military stores the property of the United States deposited on Rhode Island under the care of a M^r Elnah Flagg, and an order for you to receive them from him. In the transacting this buisness I have to request that you will take the trouble to have a return of all the articles which you may receive from M^r Flagg and signed by him with your receipt. Parole made out and forwarded to this office. As there has never been any order for the delivery of any part of these stores it is to be expected that all the articles specified in the within return are to be found in M^r Flagg's care, but in case of any alterations you will please to have the same noted, toether with the reasons for the same, and I afterwards can readily inform me accurately of the real state and condition of the stores which are to be placed on your care at the risk of the public and all necessary expenses of storage collection and removal to be reimbursed to you on your furnishing an account thereof supported by full and sufficient vouchers I am Sir With real esteem Your most obedient humble Servant H Knox Col^o Jeremiah Olney