[Pages wholly illegible per repository notation] [Address sheet] [Top right notation:] [undecipherable] enlons [undecipherable] [undecipherable] aldam [undecipherable] Philadelphia [153] Saml. [undecipherable] Philadelphia [stamp] Saml. [undecipherable] [by?] [undecipherable] --- [undecipherable] Sep [undecipherable] Sir, Your favor of the [undecipherable] I received yesterday evening. I now enclose you two receip[ts] for military stores, and a return of said [stores]. Part of them was shipped the day [before] yesterday — [undecipherable] but the master [of the] boat having been taken sick, [was prevented?] his vessel from sailing until this morning. The great pressure of business upon me, obliged me to refer my [undecipherable] Capt [undecipherable] to examine all the stores sent, except the pistols — these [I] [examined] myself — at the time I sent them [undecipherable] they are [in?] stocked. [undecipherable] reports to [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] [now?] [send?] to be [fit?] for service, and [undecipherable] him to ex- amine [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] informs [me] he has thoroughly [examined] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is in, and is [pleased?] — [undecipherable] no more of the sorts you want here fit for service. Your [mention?] to send [undecipherable] of pistols inserted in the return — from [undecipherable] I conclude if more had been insert- ed. [undecipherable] would have directed this [undecipherable] which induces me to venture to [undecipherable] you the fine shirts mentioned in the [undecipherable]. I have about to one sheet more here in prime order. The last return of ordnance [&] military stores I sent to the War Office was for August before last — [Since?] then, a series of hurry [of] business has pre- [vented] my making [it] [any?] [earlier?] — and I must inform [you] — — The [Assistant?] in the ordnance de- partment I have had [undecipherable] at that period, a little of a pensioner, [that?] he cannot make out his account for his own salary. He [is] a worthy character, & anxious to render service in his power. The deficien- cy of returns I suppose made not much in- [convenience?] to the Secretary of War, as of course, of all I [send?] I [receive?] The last [return?] — of pistol cartridges here; but them are quite too small for [the?] I am, Sir, Your most obed- [A?] I suppose it is necessary ient servant to inform you, I have to [pay?] [The...ble] [undecipherable] [postage] for your letters, as are not franked by the Secretary of War. [Geo. Fleming?] The [undecipherable] The ½ inch [Shells?] are very small — such as they are I have [sent?] them. You had best have them examined; as through a mistake of the [Boatman?] he put a part of them on board before I examined them. [Samuel Hoage Ser[geant?]]