[undecipherable] Nov. 11, 1796 To Samuel Hodgdon Dept of Military Stores Sir The annexed instructions have been given to the Storekeeper in this Dep^t, Mr. Harris for the Government, to which you will be pleased to attend — 1^st You will as soon as the [undecipherable] therein shall be made — [undecipherable] charge [undecipherable] Harris with all the Articles which he has in Store and turn over to him any which you may have under your particular care. Taking his receipts for the same, if you will also deliver him with all those which he shall in future Receive. The [undecipherable] require you to do the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of your [undecipherable] will be discharged [undecipherable] you with the [undecipherable], all [undecipherable] duties to said Storekeeper and the acknowledgement of their receipts — 2^d The Superintendent you will inspect at least, monthly into the State and Condition of his Stores and make a report thereof every two Months to the Sec. of War in writing — 3 [undecipherable] in case of urgent [undecipherable] military funds shall be [undecipherable] in any capacity of Ordnance [undecipherable] military [undecipherable] such [undecipherable] to make you will state the same to the [undecipherable] Secretary of War in writing that such order may be taken as the case may require — 4^th You will visit at once every year the principal Arsenals, Stores and Armories, inspect the Articles deposited or made therein and communicate with the Returns, and report every such expedition your observations and remarks in writing to the Sec. of War — 5^th You will enquire from all Persons interested with those [undecipherable] properties or manufacturers in any military stores to render on a quarterly Return, exhibiting the articles on hand and what they have received, manufactured or delivered during the [undecipherable] preceding Quarter — [and] Books must exhibit the Ordnance and all Military Articles and Supplies in the different Stores, Arsenals, Magazines manufactured, from which no [undecipherable] will be made but in pursuance of an Order signed by the Sec. of War and Commissary [undecipherable]; which [undecipherable] you will record and forward — 7 You will make a quarterly Return to the Secretary of War of the Military Stores in the different Magazines, Arsenals or Repositories, and a half yearly Return of the Military Stores in the different Forts and Garrisons with a copy of the [undecipherable] — 8 It is to be understood that the purchase of military Stores, Clothing, Indian [undecipherable], Supplies in the [undecipherable] (Muskets) and in short all Articles of a Militia [undecipherable] remaining with [undecipherable] upon and under the direction of the Treasury or [undecipherable] acquisition by the Secretary of War — You will be pleased to consider such parts of these Instructions dated the 26 July 1795 addressed to you as Superintendent of Military Stores and signed Henry [undecipherable] as are not comprehended in, or altered by the present Instructions, as in full force and will observe [be] governed by them accordingly. As soon as the [undecipherable] Rooms now occupied by the Master [undecipherable] shall become vacant you will please remove your Office thither — In keeping your accounts you will observe the forms prescribed by the Sec. of the Treasury and will furnish the different Storekeepers with Corresponding [undecipherable] for the Government — Given at the War Office in Philad This eleventh day of November A. D. 1796 Signed James Mc Henry