[Postal wrapper: Major Samuel Hodgdon — Philadelphia. No. 1. Endorsed: Shipped from July 29^th. [Top right notation, undecipherable]] Shepherds Town July 27^th 1796 Sir, yours of the 16^th Ins^t. came to hand last evening, This day I have forwarded the stores orderd to Cap^t. Gibson at Staunton Viz^t. Six Swords with belts one Drum and one fife one horsemans Tent. Ten Comⁿ. Tents Ten Camp Kettles four Axes and 25^ll of Gun Powder all of good quality and in good order, except, that the swords sent were the lightest horseman swords in the Store there being none of any other kind Inclosed is a Copy of my letter to Cap^t.; com. forwarded with the Stores which I hope will be Satisfactory— I have appointed the 15^th. of August to set out to Kentucky. the public money on hand is nearly expended. perhaps it might be proper for me to have leave to draw a bill for a deficiency of money to answer every public purpose at this place in my Absence if you think so, please name the Subject to the Secretary of War, and inform me before the 15^th of August. I am very respectfully Your Ob^t Servant [undecipherable: probable reading Slaugham] Major Hodgdon --- [Enclosure wrapper: Copy of a letter to Cap^t. Gibson. Received in this letter of 20^th July which came to hand 4^th August 1796.] [Copy] Shepherds Town July 27^th 1796 Sir I send you by order of Major Hodgdon Six Swords with belts. one Drum one fife. one horsemans Tent. ten Common tents. ten Camp Kettles. four Axes and one keg of Powder containing 25^lb. all in good Order and I hope they will reach you do. I am directed to send you [undecipherable] Swords. but have none in the Store under my care, nor are there any to be purchased here, I therefore (as otherwise you might be disappointed) send Horsemans Swords, Should they not suit you, I am sure Major Gratton will furnish you with others in exchange for them and pay you the difference to go to the Credit of the U. States Provided they can be procured at Staunton [Marginal note: Note — I have sent — that if the swords sent cannot be made to answer the intended purpose, for them to be forwarded by M^r. Rice.] Please send me a receipt for the Stores forwarded by M^r. Rice. I am &c [undecipherable: probable reading Slaugham] Cap^t. Gibson