Philadelphia 1^st June 1798 Sir, Since finishing my letter of this date George Kitche is come forward with your receipt for the Stores originally in the charge of Henry Irvine to transport, who it seems lost his Papers on the Road — By the Receipt it appears that one of Major Swans boxes are missing, nine only being delivered. Whereas ten was received here and receipted for. The Boxes were numbered from 1 to 4 and from 1 to 6 inclusively and its essential previous to settlement with Kitche to know the Contents and value of the missing Box — If you have no means of ascertaining this, it will be best to write to Swan and let him give the necessary information — You will please to attend to it. Enclosed you have the original Papers which were found and returned. I am Sir Your most Obed^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon Major Isaac Craig Philadelphia 1^st June 1798 Sir Your letter of this day is this moment received. Enclosed you have W. de Butts bill for the six thousand dollars, and also an extract of a letter shewing by whose authority he purchased the Stamps for the payment of which it seems the Bill was drawn. Well knowing that the Bill would be considered as an advance by the Auditor, and of course not admitted, I invited De Butts to come here with his account for the expenditure of the money. This was effected on the 19^th April following as appears by the Voucher rendered. The purchase being made under proper authority I did not conceive myself at liberty to make any inquiry relative to the conduct of it. I am therefore entirely uninformed as to the true nature of the Vessel, the necessity of submitting to imposition, or any other circumstances that may have operated to the injury of the United States. With respect & esteem I am Sir Your most Ob^t Servant, Samuel Hodgdon John Steel Esq^r Comptroller. Philadelphia 2^d June 1798. Sir, The price of Powder Casks here cannot be accurately known, as the Public have been in the practice of purchasing the Copper and drawing and furnishing the Hoops to the Coopers. The Casks without the Hoops cost eight Shillings each, the hoops has probably brought them up to ten Shillings — this information will assist you in making the purchase of such as you have occasion to contract for. Colonel Pickering wrote you some time ago requesting you to examine the large Flot in the keeping of M^r Blagg and report their state. I conclude they will answer the Alcaine demand and they are much wanted for that purpose — Several Vessels here are waiting for that Supply — I expect to go to Elizabeth and perhaps to York some time next week to determine the fate of the Shot and Kentledge cast by M^r Trirsch for the Public — the parties have agreed to rest on my decision — we have mod of every thing of the kind that can be collected for the orders are numerous. I am Sir Your most Obed^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon Col^l Ebenezer Stevens