[Endorsement, upper right:] Nov^r 23 Oct^r [1791] / Observe for the Matter / [undecipherable] not to be [undecipherable] the / storm [Left margin:] Department of War / James McHenry M^r Samuel Hodgdon Superintendent of Military Stores Philadelphia. [stamp: Rec^d / Nov^r 21 / [undecipherable] / D.O.4] Near Downings Town 23 Oct^r 1791— Sir, I have received this morning your Letter of the 20^th with that from M^r Houdin of the 15^th I do not find by M^r Houdins Letter that he has even viewed the cannon at Fort [undecipherable: probable reading Randclair] or in short that he has Done any thing relative to my order except talk with M^r Glen about it. He must have known that before an answer could arrive to his enquiries that it would be too late to attempt with any prospect of success the transportation of the Artillery this season to Mackilimackinac. The affair must now be given up. Be pleased however to make such arrangements that the same delay may not take place in the Spring. I return you M^r Houdins letter. As to his salary it may lay over for the present. I am Sir your Ob.^t & Hum.^t Serv.^t James McHenry M^r Sam.^t Hodgdon [stamp: Received / in Dep.^t / [undecipherable]]