Philadelphia 25th January 1799. Sir On the 17th January 1798 agreeable to your instructions I wrote to Barnard Hudson & informed him of your determination to discontinue the Port at Fort Ranselaer, and at the same time pointed out to him the method of closing his concerns respecting the business Under the same date I wrote to Michael Houden Store keeper at Albany to make the arrangement with Mr. Houden for securing the stores: both letter were duly received, and answered. Difficulties with respect to the transportation of the Ordnance & heavy Stores were urged on account of the season of the year. On this subject I again wrote to Mr. Hudson on the 14th February, & communicated fully your directions on the Subject, since which time untill the 2d instant, I have heard nothing further on the business. It seems however that no removal has taken place & that the stores have remained under the care of Mr. Hudson as usual, and I trust you will think they ought to remain under his care until he has complied with the orders given respecting them, at which time he would naturally come forward to shew the reason why they were not earlier attended to & urge his claim for compensation for their safe keeping.
It certainly will not do to abandon the Stores & base them where they are in charge of no person this would insure a total loss of every thing capable of being taken away. I think it best to renew the order for delivery of the Stores as at first directed and then to present his claims for compensation all of which is submitted.
I am Sir &c Samuel Hodgdon Jas. McHenry Esqr Secretary of War