Philadelphia 26^th August 1797 Sir, On the 24^th I received your letter of the 26^th The Books for Col^o Williams shall be provided as soon as possible. The Instructions for keeping the Cash Accounts will be forwarded by the Comptroller, Suitable Books I will provide. I wish to have an order to prepare the Books and Stationery intended for M^r Macky, an invoice of which you have before you, and also a copy of the Bond he is to sign to ensure a faithfull performance of his duty. He is anxious to go to his Post, I will insist on you for his instructions and to give the requested Securities any day you may appoint. The Return for the General shall command my attention, and shall be sent to him as soon as possible. It is much to be regretted, that we have no Returns from the Army by which theannon & Stores with them might be known, it is certainly as essential for the General to know the state of these, as those at the several Posts. The Return I shall send him shall be as accurate as far as it goes, but it will not embrace all the Ordnance & Stores belonging to the United States, it will however account for all I have official knowledge of. I have no answer to my letter respecting the colours painting by Rutter & Co for the General. The Stationery ordered for him is forwarded and is of a superior quality. We have neither Coatee Overalls nor Vests in Store of course are unable to send compleat suits of Clothing any where; the Orders hitherto given are supplies. Enclosed is a letter from M^cCooks received this day which seems to claim attention, but it comes not within the line of my duty. I am &c [Perms M^cHenry Esq^r] Samuel Hodgdon