Philadelphia 7^th December 1798 Sir By order of the Secretary of the Treasury I send to your address a Box containing two Pattern Muskets as expressed in the enclosed Invoice — I hope they will get early and in perfect order to hand of which you will advise me — I am Sir Your Most Obedient Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon John Kilty Esq^r Baltimore Philadelphia 8^th December 1798. Sir I am fearful time is loosing as it respects our Laboratory preparations— No provision as far as I know is making either for Buildings to commence the work or materials of any kind for carrying it on — If the extensive preparations contemplated in the Summer are abandoned will it not be proper to commence the business on a smaller Scale at some of our posts or in some of our Garrisons? The destitute state of our Magazines for all kinds of Stores may be severely felt when there is no time to remedy the evil — I have thought it best to revive the business in your mind that if necessary and proper it may be immediately commenced I am uneasy under the present situation — With respect and Esteem I am Sir Your Most Obedient Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r Secretary of War.