Philadelphia 26 July 1798 Sir, I am informed their is in Lancaster a brass six Pounder Cannon mounted on a Field Carriage which appears to be in the charge of no Public Officer, but is supposed by my informant to have been there ever since the Public Stores were in the hand of M^r Henry, or that it may have been left by the Troops returning from the Insurgent War in 1793 — The latter opinion I think the best founded — Will you be good enough to make the Necessary enquiries relative to the Gun and inform me — Guns of this description are now much wanted — I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant — Colonel Alexander Anderson — Samuel Hodgdon — Philad^a 27^th July 1798 Sir, We have in the Magazine on Schuylkill, five whole Barrels, two half and par hundred and sixty four Quarter Casks equal to One hundred and twenty three whole Barrels, or six tons three hundred weight all fine Powder — The quantity, [strikethrough: the kind on hand] and the kinds being small, not suited to the use most applied for — I think it will be best to order three hundred Barrels of Cannon Powder from New York immediately. I am sir, Your Most Obed^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r Secretary of War —