Philadelphia 10^th January, 1799 Sir The 68 Rifles wanted for Captain Showells Company may be supplied from the Store in this City, we have upwards of 900 on hand here. I am, Sir, Very respectfully yours Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r Secretary of War. Philadelphia, 10 January, 1799 Sir, By order of the Secretary of War I send to your address the articles named in the enclosed Invoice. I will thank you to ask, nowledge the Receipts of them, and let me know the time and order in which they get to hand — your most obedient servant Sam^l Hodgdon Ensign Boote Philadelphia 11 January 1799 Sir, The Secretary of War requests to know what arrangements have been made by you for procuring the number of seasoned Musket Stocks directed to be purchased in his letter of October last, what are the present state of your contracts for those Articles, and how many may probably be received into the Public Store here to the first of May next — He wishes also to be informed whether the two thousand Stocks in your own Store make a part of those ordered by him — An answer this Morning will oblige me, as I am to make a report on the subject immediately. I am Sir Y^r Most Ob. Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon Tench Frances Esq^r