Philadelphia 17 August 1798 Sir I have received your letter of the 16^th inst & am mortified at hearing the conduct of the wretch that undertook to transport the furniture of this Office to Trenton. He will rue his conduct eventually. The 300 Barrels of Powder are received from York, and are now depositing in our Magazines By M^r Nicholsons report we have now 80 old French Muskets in Store that will do to repair for the use of the Brig which he values in their present state at 6 doll^rs ea. are they to be delivered to the order of the Brig of the Mary & Having distributed the watch over the Public Store Penclose a copy of my instructions to them. If M^r Bass remains unwell I shall place M^r Mackey in the Store to conduct the business. I have shown M^r Steves the Sword & Cape. the Pistol cannot be found, he however declines any contract for them. The Cape he will describe to his friend & leave him to make his own proposals. With respect to the Swords he seems desirous to undertake the whole number wanted say 4000. & he proposes to supply them equal to the pattern at 7 doll^rs each without the Scabbards they will be charged at [undecipherable] with the Sword the compleat will come at 7 [undecipherable] Doll^rs each. If longer time cannot be given he will engage to turn the whole into the Store in 6 months after signing the Contract. Sword belts can be supplied here in any number at [undecipherable]. he proposes to supply them at 1 doll^r each. as matter of opinion it seems to me that he might be allowed to contract for 2000 of the Swords and Scabbards allowing him the time & conditions he proposes for the whole number. I do not think he will be able to make a greater number in that time & if he could a part I think should be given to the workmen in & about this city who I have no doubt will furnish them on the same terms all of which is submitted. I am Sir respectfully yours Samuel Hodgdon [James McHenry Esq^r]