[War Office 4^th May 1797. Information wanted. Answered 6^th rel. to Mil. Stores] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 201810.] War Office, May 4^th 1797.— Sir. In your instructions, as Superintendant of Military Stores, are the following paragraphs — "2. As Superintendant, you will inspect, at least month- " ly, into the State and condition of the Stores, and make report thereof, " every two months, to the Secretary of War, in writing. "3. As often, in your opinion, as any military Stores " shall be wanted, or any repairs of ordnance, arms, or military arti- " cles are necessary to be made, you will state the same to the Secre- " tary of War, in writing, that such order may be taken, as the case may " require." It does not appear, that any report, or communication, has ever been made, agreeably to the intent and meaning of the above, although the instructions bear date, as long ago as the 15^th November 1796. I am Sir, respectfully, Your obedient Serv. James McHenry Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r Superintendant of the Military Stores of the United States.