Sir, Philadelphia 3^rd. May, 1798 As soon as possible after you receive this letter, you will send to New York to the address of Melaneton Smith Esquire six six pounders & eight inch Howitzers, and 2 three pounder Brass Ordnance with their Carriages and implements complete. Send by the same conveyance, 2000 one pound Ball, 2000 Eighteen pounder ditto 400 twenty four pounder ditto 2000 fuse and an half inch Shells that have been proven, and that are now known to be good, 1000 Eight inch ditto. You may stipulate for the freight to be paid by M^r Smith, to whom I liberally write on this subject. I shall rest assured that your knowledge of Artillery service will compleat the pieces with every requisite for duties enforced related to their equipment. Lose no time in making the transport and inform me when they go forward and whatever relates to them. I am Sir Your most Ob^t Servant. Cap^t P^r Mariant, Samuel Hodgdon Sir, Philadelphia 3^rd. May, 1798 When the 2 twenty four pounders arrive with you from Albany as you are advised by my letter of the 18^th ultimo will shortly be the case, be pleased to deliver one of them to Col^o Abner Stevens expressly to one order of the Secretary of War of which, [undecipherable] to report he is assured. Take his receipt for it and enclose it to me. Besides the above you may expect the Cannon and Artillery Stores other articles mentioned in the enclosed list, to move to your address shortly from Springfield as I have by letter this day to Cap^t Mariant, directed him to send them to you without delay. Before they can arrive I will by letter inform you of their ultimate destination. If perchance they should arrive with you before you receive any instructions, detain them until you do, & let me know they are with you. I am Sir your m^ost Ob^ed Servant, Samuel Hodgdon (Melaneton Smith Esq^r) Philadelphia 4^th May 1798 Sir, It appears by the Return there is at Fort Rensal[undecipherable: probable reading Rensalaer] eight Six Pounder and one four pounder Brass Cannon there with their Carriages if they have any worth transporting as wanted at Governors Island near New York. You will as soon as possible make provision to have these Guns removed accordingly, and if it can conveniently be done and without much additional expense I wish to have one thousand of nine pounder Balls at that Post moved at the same time to the same place with the Guns. Address the whole to Cap^t Fred^k [undecipherable] Frye commanding in the Fort. I hope soon to hear the Brass 24 P^rs are on the way as directed in my letter of the 19^th ultimo — I am Sir, Your most Obedt Servant Samuel Hodgdon Cap^t Houdin