[Received Blair from Nov. 24, 1804 B.S.O. 401810] [188] [Shepherds Town July 1] Major Samuel Hodgdon Philadelphia --- Shepherds Town July 1^st 1796 Sir/ Inclosd you have an acc.^t of public Stores furnished Ensign David Thompson last fall, the want of an earlier Amount of them [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] All [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] me, but I really [undecipherable] has made me [undecipherable] though by you, untill within these few days I found a deficiency of Stores, then upon examining my Office of returns discovered the neglect — I think it will be proper to make you a general return of the Stores at this Place to shew at one view the quantity on hand, as Several Alterations have taken place since my last general return, this I will do when I forward my Next Accounts unless you shou'd advise to the Contrary Take the liberty to enclose to you a Small paper bill which I presume is received at Philadelphia, but I know not in what manner — please get it done for me — My quarterly Accounts come with this to M^r Simmons — [undecipherable] I look very [undecipherable] for a line from you on the Subject of my request of you to endeavor to get leave for me to go to Kentucky How does it happen the building the Arsenal and Magazine at Harpers ferry does not go on, is it the scarcity of money — I cou'd have them built without requiring more than half the money advanced untill after the buildings are Completed which I think, I [undecipherable] to the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] War, and Shou'd be incline to have the work done in that way the advances wou'd only be required from time to time as [undecipherable] demand came on I am very respectfully Your Ob.^t Servant E Langham Major Hodgdon