Philadelphia 24^th June 1799 Sir The contents of General Hamilton's letter relative to the Clothing sent by me to Niagara & Oswego to the address of the Commanding Officers, demands from me a statement of facts, and I will briefly give them. The whole of the Clothing was packed in 9 light rum Casks, each of which were marked for its particular destination on the head, with a brush and blacking which could not be easily defaced. Two sets of invoices were forwarded 1 to the Agent who was to receive them in New York, and another to the Agent in Albany, with orders to both to send them with the Clothing. As the season was so far advanced as to render the transportation by water uncertain, directions were given to forward them in such a way as to insure their getting to hand, to effect this M^r Melaneton Smith forwarded Sleys, as the only certain mode of getting them forwarded, and to make profitable stowage in them, he was obliged to start the contents of one of the Hogsheads into two Tierces, which tierces he marked and numbered to answer to the Hogshead in the invoices. In this manner they were forwarded, and are acknowledged to have been received. The confusion introduced arose from Major Rivardi's, opening the casks that were forwarded for the troops at Oswego — a part of which it seems arrived first at his post, for this mistake (if it was one) he alone is answerable. No goods ever left this port in Now in better condition, nor could more pains have been taken to insure their getting to hand speedily and in order. The opening the wrong Casks was no injury to Major Rivardi's Post, as they contained more clothing than was ordered for it. It detained some of the articles forwarded for Oswego for a short time, but by the enclosed extracts from Major Rivardi's letters it appears all the articles safely arrived eventually at both posts, and were found to agree perfectly with the invoices — I am Sir your most ob^t Servant James McHenry Esq^r Samuel Hodgdon --- Philadelphia, 1^st July, 1799 Sir, I have received your Letter of the 25^th [undecipherable: Ultimo]. The extract of the Secretary of War's letter quoted, is not intended to Militate with mine of the 14^th November 1797 on the work undertaken in consequence of that law is to be finished — there will be no difficulty in obtaining an equitable adjustment for work done more than over — I have spoken to the Secretary of War on the subject, and he informs me, he has written to say to the same office — I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon — M^r Joseph Cranch —