Phil^a May 25^th 1798 Sir You will be pleased to inform the Secretary of War that I cannot comply with the order for dam our forte Whit Delaware having no ninepound Wads — Rammers Sponges Ladle rooms or funtles with its rings in store so that those articles may be procured timely and not impede the Operation of getting to that forte In future it may be proper for you to enquire whether articles Wanted is in store previous to drawing the Order M^r Josiah Fox Clk War Office Yours &c John S Harris