[Docket at upper right:] Col. Joseph Williams / [undecipherable] (Brig[undecipherable]) / [undecipherable] November — / Various matters — [Filing notation:] Nov 21 / H.Q.O 40181C. Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r. [undecipherable] of Stores Philadelphia Springfield Oct^r. 30^th. 1799. Sir, Enclosed are the Returns of the Armory and Military Departments, with the several vouchers to support the receipts & deliveries, for the Quarter ending Sept^r. 30^th. The twelve pieces of Ordnance with their implements charged to Ebenezer Stevens Esq^r. — Also four pieces to M^r. John Lovday Public Storekeeper Charlestown South Carolina & forwarded to the same address [for want of] a direct conveyance from the [undecipherable] Shipments (viz) Hartford) with a request to have them reshipped to M^r. Lovday & I have only the Captains of the Vessels in which they were shipped, their receipts as my vouchers — which I hope you will have the goodness to accept as proper, and [undecipherable] the same to my credit: — I have the instructions of the Secretary of War for my Government, in sending of the above Ordnance &c. You will see by my Return I have been under the necessity of procuring by purchase a number of articles to complete the equipment for the above mentioned pieces of Artillery; I hope it will meet your approbation. The two hundred seventy five Muskets received of Abijah Rich of Hartford on account of the United States accompanied with Captains Wadsworth & [undecipherable] certificate of Inspection. I have by the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury in his letter to me dated April 29 ultimo to have the opinion of the Chief Armorer, as to the quantity of the muskets received, M^r. Rich; I had them examined by Col^t. [undecipherable: Orr?] Foreman in the Factory and the report being so unfavourable as to their [undecipherable: good?] quality I have thought it my duty to transmit you a duplicate of the certificate — which I believe to be just and impartial — I have pursued the most economical plan in regard to Arm Chests. I purchase the boards at the Mills & have them made agreeable to your direction — they will cost about 4$ each — Your directions in regard to [undecipherable] the cistern for the accommodation of the Engine, in case of Fire — has been duly attended to — I am fully of your opinion now, that one will be sufficient — provided we have a plentiful supply of rain. May I be permitted to ask your opinion as to the propriety of the Superintendent or either of the Foreman of the Factory, taking boys as private apprentices into the Works, making them use for pay on the Rolls for their own benefit — as I doubt the propriety of the measure, I should be glad of your opinion on the subject —. Unfortunately it has not been in my power to dispone of the Continental Horse, I wrote you about sometime since — & of course I have not purchased an Ox team for the [undecipherable] — there is not however, that call for team work now, as there was in the more early stages of the Factory — I am Sir with the utmost respect your obedient servant Joseph Williams Public Storekeeper & Paymaster Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r.