[30] [M^r W^m Simmers] War office 13^th May 1798 Sir It appears by a Letter & receipts on File, in the office of the Intendant of Naval & Military Stores that M^r Asa'd Garretson commenced his Services as Clerk of the Navy yard at Baltimore, on or about the first of June 1795, and continued at that Station untill the 9^th of May 1798, at the rate of 750 Dollars pr annum. [signed] Josiah Fox [M^r Francis De Sotta] War Department 16^th May 1798 Sir I have to request that you will be pleased as soon as convenient to examine and prove in the usual manner the late eight inch Howitzers lately received from Boston — I am with respect — [M^r Joseph Sterrett Baltimore] Sir War Department 24^th May 1798 You will be pleased to inform M^r David Stodder, that I wish to propose he should close his accounts without delay. It has been suggested that he owes the United States for Iron, nails &c, and that he demands £50 for the use of an old Smiths Shop which he had voluntarily permitted to be used, and desired the Public to occupy without any charge whatever — His plans as to be paid to the 5^th of April ult^o after which time I am informed his Services were neither wanted or called [for]. If the Timber & other materials in the yard left laying by being exposed to the frost, I will you examine them & report their Situation — I am Sir &c