Philadelphia 8^th December 1798. Sir I have received your letter of the 16^th Ultimo by Captain Wallace — In consequence of it I have shipped to your address three thousand two hundred Musket Stocks fit for immediate use, three thousand of which are for your own use, and two hundred for Nathan Elliott agreeably to the Secretary of the Treasury's letter — The Vessel could receive no more, it seems you did not make an accurate calculation when you engaged her to carry 4200 — the remaining 1000 in your order may be sent to New York at any time, or delivered in any other way you think best — I hope those shipped will get safely & speedily to hand — I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon M^r Eli Whitney Philadelphia 10^th December 1798 Sir From the accounts I have received of M^r Orr the Master Armourer at Springfield I am led to believe he will be a suitable person to go to Middleton in Connecticut and prove the Swords made by M^r Starr — He is in the vicinity and under pay of course nothing more than his expenses will be chargeable to the Government. If you prefer sending some person from hence to make the proof I can from my own knowledge recommend M^r Annely who is hire and engaged by M^r Perkins as Master Armourer of the works at Harpers Ferry — He is also in the pay of the United States, and therefore can claim no more than his expenses while performing the service — Return M^r Starr's Letter — I am Sir Your Most Obedient Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r Secretary of War