Providence 4^th Dec^r 1787 Sir, I have the Honor of Addressing Committing to you (16^th July last) a Return of Public Store Deposited in Rhode Island — I have on frequent enquiry found there is a Quantity of Barred & repaired grape Shell at Pemberton & Harbor — also one Swivel & three Three pound Iron Cannons at both Bridges, & which was not Included in the Above Returns, upon Visiting this place I found the Store to be agreeable to the Inclosed Return — Should I make any further discovery of Public Store I will duly rpt the Returns to Communicate the Same — I have to acquaint you that the Pension of Hope Inconneau have taken two 18 pounds Cannons from the Rifle Island for this Town, which they Claim as their property — the Cannon inform me they last this Town on its the Rifle Island at the Seige of Fort Catharine in the Expedition against Rhode Island in the Campaign of 1778 — I never afterwards & speaks with the Rifle Attonrann, Instlt of being Removed to his Cannon. Altho I am Satisfied in my own mind as to the Justness of those gentlemens Claim, & the two Cannon are yet as they are Included in the Public Returns of Ordinance, I desire to the Hclrng of them before you, themon was Removed — but I was never acquainted in that be the Rifle Their Claim in a Rifle Town, & as the Cannon not wants to go on Road Mr. Price Brown's British Ship, they think the proper to take them without hearing from you — Shd their Claims be Satisfactory to your please to Signify the Same — I have taken the Liberty to Include my aids against the United States from the 1^st day of July [strikethrough: to the last day of September 1787] (that being the day I Received this Pay from Maj^r Josia Flagg) to the last day of Nov^r 1787 including my Rations & Cofenme, the amount of which being 63⁹⁰/₁₀₀ Dollars I Request Sir you will be so good as to forward by the first Safe Conveyance — and would be particularly Senceple to me at this time — I have the Honor to be with great Esteem Sir Your Obed Hum^ble Ser^t Jno^s. Henry — [written sideways: Letter to the Secretary at War Dec^r 4, 1787] Hon^ble The Secretary at War —