War Office, May 27^th 1797. Sir. The Secretary of War directs me to reply to yours of this day, relatively to guns wanted for the Revenue cutter. I find, that on the 2^d of July 1794, you was requested to receive from Captain Dale, nine six pounders and one four pounder, with their carriages, being that number taken by authority from on board the armed Ship called the Constable, alias Chickamauga, &c. illegally equipped for war, then lying at Reedy Island, river Delaware, and owned by a John Cooper of Virginia — Presuming these to be the same, as mentioned in your letter, the Secretary conceives there will be no impropriety in your delivering to Captain Bright, as many of them as may be necessary for this cutter — You will be pleased to act accordingly; and also accommodate him, with as many of the [undecipherable] Howitzers in store, as will compleatly arm his vessel, taking duplicate receipts, to be accountable for their return when thereunto required — One of the receipts the Secretary requests you will forward to this office when an order on the Storekeeper will issue for their delivery, so that a proper entry may be made in his books. — I am Sir, with great respect, Your obed^t Ser — [signature] Stagg Jun^r [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1934. R.P.O. 401310.] Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r [Endorsement on cover: War Office 27 May [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] Philadelphia [undecipherable] / cutter]