Philadelphia 24 June 1798. Sir I have read the enclosed papers and find they afford little data on which to [strikethrough: pass] frame a return for a supply of Military stores — The return of Cannon in Fort Johnson I am in possession of and can therefore say what is necessary there, but I think it proper to submit to you the propriety in the present state of things of keeping up the unmeaning practice of firing a Morning and Evening Gun. An Eighteen pounder used, the expence of Powder will be twelve pounds a day in value about six Dollars, if a twelve pounder, eight pounds, worth four Dollars, will be consumed; in either case the expence will be nearly two thousand dollars a Year — The enclosed shews the supply of Military stores that I think ought to be forwarded with all convenient speed. The sketch of the Stores inserted in the letter is so vague that nothing can be understood from it — It appears that an experienced Artillery Officer should be directed to examine all the pieces of Ordnance Mounted and unmounted, and report their state with that of their Implements and Carriages, that he should be authorised to compleate the [underline: whole] either with New Carriages or such repairs as may be found necessary, should next examine all the Stores on hand and fit each carefully for its intended use — when this is done an accurate return may be made of what is wanting taken too data the completion of the heavy Iron Pieces with one hundred rounds each, seventy five of which should be round shot and twenty five grape or Cannister — The field artillery may be furnished with the same number of rounds and in the same proportion with fixed, strapped and Cannister Shot. Sam Sir Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon. James W^m Henry Esq^r.