[538] Putendants Office War Department, 18^th Aug^t 1799 Sir I am about closing the navy Books, to deliver them over to that Department. The enclosed statement shews a number of Articles to your debit, because not explicitly accounted for, many articles to your credit though in different forms, or under different names may be supposed, to be the credits agieved, but this you must inform me of. For instance, you are charged with 73161 lbs of Iron & on examination it appears, you have found 322 Pigs of Iron more than you are charged with. Do these make a part of the quantity with which you are charged? and so of all the rest; be pleased to explain to me as early as convenient. I am Sir Your most obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon Major Caleb Gibbs Philadelphia 18^th August 1799. Sir The order requested by M^r M^cCormick for drawing materials for Gun making under his Contract during the scarcity of water at his works may be granted to the mutual interest of himself & the United States. The amount of the articles drawn should be paid weekly into the hand of the Storekeeper who will as in similar cases pay it to the Saver, to be by him paid into the Treasury, subject to your order to replace the articles sold. I am Sir your most Servant, Samuel Hodgdon James McHenry Esq^r