War Department 31 July 1799. Gentlemen, Whilst the General officers were convened at Philadelphia I requested their opinion relative to the fittest places to erect permanent magazines. They considered, [unanimously recommended] 1^st. That [the] three principal permanent magazines [should be erected and for them] would suffice for the United States. 2d. That the [fullest] stations for these, [would] ought to be, Springfield in Massachusetts; Harpers Ferry, on the Potomac, Virginia; and Rocky mount, on the Wateree, in South Carolina. The act to provide for the erecting and repairing of arsenals & magazines and for other purposes, provides, "that for the safe keeping of the military stores, there shall be established under the direction of the President of the U.S. [underline: three or four arsenals with ma-gazines], as he shall judge most expedient in such places as will best accommodate the different parts of the U.S. and further that he may continue or not at his discretion either of the arsenals heretofore used at Springfield and Carlisle. I am disposed to believe [the most mature reflection] after (reflecting upon the subject); that besides the three magazines contemplated [very strong reasons are recommend that a fourth should] by the General officers, particular circumstances [be considered,] as the [vicinity of Philadelphia] [case] [also planning] [for more general service in the] facility of obtaining the articles wanted; the means of manufacture; facility of transportation; &c require, that (a fourth) should be erected in the vicinity of Philadelphia. I also suppose, that the whole of the magazines [as soon as circumstances will admit] should be erected, and prepared with expedition in order that, (as soon as possible), such a distribution of artillery & military stores, may be made as will conduce to the satisfaction and security of the different portions of the union, to which severally they have a particular reference, as well as the safe keeping and good arrangement of the articles themselves. The following propositions are therefore submitted, upon each of which your opinions are requested. 1^st. Buildings are contemplated to be erected in the vicinity of Philadelphia, which will, according to estimate, cost 37,000 Dollars. These include a Laboratory, and I expect will be competent to contain the proportion of [strikethrough: the ordnance and] military and public stores, that may be sufficient for the supply of the middle district and its dependencies. Ought these to be immediately commenced? 2d. Ought the buildings and alterations that may be proper and required at Springfield for the purposes intended, among these, a suitable building for a general magazine, and which may cost from 15 to 20,000 Dollars to be immediately commenced? 3d. Ought the buildings at Harpers ferry, which are now in train, to be prosecuted? 4. Ought the buildings at Rocky Mount, which may be estimated to cost 37,000 Dollars, to be commenced? I have the honour to be Gent— with the sincerest respect your most Ob^t H^ble S^t James McHenry [Docket, written sideways: [undecipherable] to / [undecipherable] of / magazines / [undecipherable] of selection] The heads of Departments & the attorney General