[Samuel Hensley November 1^st 1797 Rd 8 December — Conveys no ideas Ordnance] Fort Wayne November 1^st 97 — Sir. I have this moment returned to this Garrison from road duty at the confluence of the Wabash thirty miles from hence, Your letter dated 9^th of august 97— I have received it was given to me five days from the date of this letter, untill I received orders from the General, commanding could not return to this Garrison, as there is an express immediately leaving this post can only have time to say, I shall prepare myself to answer you on the subject of the Ordnance Department as well also as the Quarter Master Department, Should I not give the Secretary of War and yourself just information respecting these two branches of public business I shall at all times be ready to answer to my name [underline: and] reputation which I hope from my heart may receive a just reward after faithfully serving my Country and the public twenty years, I am Sir your very respectful humble & Serv^t Samuel Hensley — C. M. Stores [Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r Philadelphia]