[34] [Endorsement, rotated:] Major [undecipherable] War Department Oct: 21^st 1796 [Director?] of [undecipherable] Purveyor of [undecipherable] [Notation:] Shepherds from— Oct^r 22 — Maj^r a[dmiral?] o[f] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] under Shepherds Town Oct^r 21^st 1796 The season of the year has arrived when the public Stores must be examined, which business I am just now commencing and the extreme [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] now Obliges me to pay higher prices to Laborers than usual. I have never yet touched the [strikethrough: the] for this preservation, the details of Leather, [methods?] which is now the first thing I enter upon as they have been too long Neglected, I shall burst open and oil all the Cartouch boxes, shoes, Valises, [Knapsacks?] and [flat?] all Leather Articles— Open all the Arm chests, do what is wanting to them and [wipe?] them again and Air all the Tents [&c?] [undecipherable]. I therefore send you an estimate of money wanting for those purposes. I [expect] a [undecipherable] at Winchester, in a few days when I will and will draw on you for 2000 Dol^rs which [gives?] me the balance of my last Accounts and I'm [estimate?] now Sent will [just do?] You will conceive by the [annexed?] [undecipherable] estimate that the [Arms?] [working?] in [various?] are not Completed. This has been occasioned by my not employing Workmen other than such as do their customary work also — Bayonets at 125 [cents?] is not [cheaper?] — just as Iron is [undecipherable] Steel in proportion and the Workmen [undecipherable] them in [completely?] workmanlike [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] — also not [undecipherable] need a word about The intended Arsenal — Some time ago I heard that Land was purchased for the purpose at [Harpers?] Ferry, a very [ineligible?] place in my [opinion?], [it is?] well calculated for water Works, but the ground whereon the Arsenal Magazine &c must be [strikethrough: erected], will be commanded by [neigh]boring heights nearly on all sides however I presume the judgment of those who [feel?] it there is Superior to mine The late Secretary of War told me when I was in Philadelphia, that as I had but little to do in the public way, that I was at liberty to pursue private business at all times when the public business did not require my attention; Oblige me to [enquire?] of the present Secretary whether he allows me the same indulgence, the truth of the case is, my wages is not Sufficient to Support my self & family here, when all is going out & nothing but the Naked wages coming in— pray don't suffer a bill that I draw on public account to go unpaid, because the public Credit as well as my own would be affected by it. and Should you suppose at any time that I draw for more than the Nature of the public business requires, let me know and I will instantly forward to you as much money as will repay all that you think is advanced more than Necessary I am with the highest respect Your Ob^t Servant V Bingham Maj^r Hodgson