340 Philadelphia 14^th Jan^ry 1799. Sir, I have examined the enclosed Certificates John Wright as appears by the Quarter Master Generals Note on the back of the [strikethrough: Certificates] never had any authority to give Certificates, of course it is of no value— The other signed by Thomas Hills is good, but can be paid only by the Quarter Master General or his Assistant at the Post where the Service was performed— then the necessary Checks are only to be [strikethrough: for] found— Return Seth Briggintons letter with the Certificates— I am Sir Your Most Obed Servant Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq Secretary of War Philadelphia 14^th Jan^ry. 1799 Sir, There is a number of French Muskets in Store that want cleaning and some repairs, these if in order, would answer many calls on the Store which are now answered with New Muskets and which without such aid will soon be exhaustd Shall I direct them to be put into the hands of the Workmen to be thoroughly repaired and cleaned— The continual drafts on the Store here has drained it so as to leave Short of Nine hundred on hand I shall wait your order on the Subject— I must again recommend the Building a Store suitable for covering the great number of Musket Stocks expected to be received they should be so housed and disposed as to [strikethrough: force] their seasoning, or we may eventually fall Short in the Supply to the Contractors for Muskets. I am Sir Yr Mo. Ob. Srv. Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq Secretary of War