Sam^l Hodgdon Es^q New York 22^nd Feb^y 1799 Sir Agreable to your request of y^r 20^th Inst^t I have received the 23 cases (containing Arms) from Mess^rs Ja^s & Clew^ts Watson, and have examined into their Situation — It appears necessary that immediate attention be paid to them, by the having im clean'd & oild up, many are very rusty. This business I can have done in my Store by employing an Armourer, which will be attended with but little expence, & have the Same Pack'd up in Suitable order for Transportation — In regard to their quality they cannot be termed more than Merchantable, Several things are wanting (together with three Musquets which are deficient to complete the number) as you'll perceive p^r Statement at foot — I have weigh'd one the weight of which is 10 ^lb 9 oz: including the Scabbard, by this it appears they are lighter than the French or English Musquets they carry Sixteen to the pound, and uniformly alike — &R emain with Respect Your Ob^d. H^ble Serv^t. [signature: Tho^s Stearns] Twenty five Cases containing viz: WH S.1@25 — 497 Musquets 497 — Bayonets 496 — Worms & 420. Priming Wires — also two Casks of Flints said to Contain 63.500 — [address leaf: Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r / Dep^t Inspy Military Stores / Philadelphia]