establishments should be found necessary, — I wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Navy on the 10 of March last, proposing that the two Departments Should join in a representation to the President, recommending the purchase of a site for a Cannon Foundry, and of Ore, the best adapted for Ordnance in exclusive propriety to the United States — and also a permanent National Establishment for casting Cannon and shot. I inclosed a report by Major Tousard, relative to some experiments made by him on a very light Gun, cast from Metal, the ore of which is found near Harpers Ferry, and cursorily touched upon advantages I supposed to be peculiar to the site, from its vicinity to a National Armory, and added, that the lightness combined with Strength of the Guns, which would probably be Cast from this Metal, seem to recommend it for those designed for ships, and to promise that the Iron fabricated from it, would be very suitable for small arms. To this Letter the Secretary of the Navy, replied on the 7 of March last, expressing a decided opinion, that the United States ought to possess, one or more such establishments as the one proposed, a belief that the vicinity of Harpers Ferry on the Potomac was a very proper place for one such establishment — and a full consent, that he be considered as joining in an application to the President recommending the measure proposed, suggesting however, that further experiments should be made on the Ore in question, to ascertain precisely the expectations, that might be answered respecting the ulterior experiments being made, and the results reported on the 26 and 30 of April last, by Major Tousard, on light Guns cast from the same Metal, and some necessary enquiries made respecting the value of the land, and the wood and water on the proposed site, as well as the title of the same — all of which have been communicated to the Secretary of the Navy, I on the 1^st of May by letter detailing as far as known to me every circumstance, and enclosing every paper I was possessed of relative to the measure, solicited the President's direction whether the proposed site and ore should be purchased, and a National Foundry for casting Cannon, Shot and shells be there established. The President answered as follows. Philadelphia May 3^rd 1800 Sir I have read with attention, and duly considered, your letter of the 1^st of this month, and all the papers inclosed with it, and am of opinion, that the public interest, and service requires that the proposed site and ore be purchased at the best terms which can be obtained, and a National Foundry for casting Cannon, Shot and Shells established, and I authorize you, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Navy, to execute this Business as soon as possible. Signed John Adams M^r. M^c Henry Secretary of War — What has been done respecting this purchase, was done in conjunction with the Secretary of the Navy, whom I leave in the execution of the duties of the War Department — the business of which he will of course, upon your arrival at the seat of government, turn over to you. I beg leave respectfully to refer you, for the progress now made, and which Shall be made by him in completing this purchase. A lot of ground was purchased last Summer near Philadelphia, and on the River Schuylkill, for the purpose of another establishment, that of a Military Laboratory, Magazines for the safe keeping of all the powder — Military Stores and other property under the Controul of the War Department, and thought expedient to be deposited in the middle district of the Union. This measure, documents on file will evince, was undertaken after mature reflection, consultation with the Heads of Departments, and with their approbation as well as that of the President. The necessary Buildings were commenced, as soon as practicable after the purchase of the lot, and some of them are far advanced. In a short time one or more of the [strikethrough: Stores] magazine will be ready to receive the articles they were intended to preserve. Orders will be necessary for the removal of the Military articles, now stored in Philadelphia, to the new Deposits as they are progressively completed, and Regulations will be indispensible, for the government of the persons employed as laboratory Officers, Directors, Superintendants, Storekeepers, or in such other capacities as may be thought proper, as well as for the arrangement and preservation of the Ammunition, Small Arms, Cannon, Cannon Carriages, Clothing or materials therefor, and other articles when [strikethrough: moved]. The regulations mentioned will demand peculiar attention: if a good system is adopted, the public will in a little time, not only attain an exemption from the payment of large sums in store rent, but from the higher State of preservation in which every article will be kept, be very soon fully remunerated for the cost of the Establishment. Hitherto Military articles, when wanted, have been to seek for, in a great number of private deposits scattered throughout the United States, consequently considerable expence has been incurred in Rents & Salaries to Storekeepers, and as the very extended Superintendance required from the proper officer (the Superintendant of Military Stores) made it impossible, it should in all cases be very particular — the property itself, has been much exposed to loss, or destruction, either from inattention in those charged with its care, or other causes. I have long thought, and have directed the Superintendant accordingly, that beneficial results, would arise from his visiting the several depositaries of Military Stores on the Sea — Board, at least once a year, on account of the certainty he would then have, that the different kinds of articles, were stored in Buildings, suitable for them respectively, and the superior vigilence that would be excited in the persons charged with their custody. The answer however has always been, that it was impracticable for him (the Superintendant) to leave the seat of Government. [undecipherable] 22. It may deserve consideration, in whether it would not be right to send a person of sufficient intelligence to visit those scattered depositaries, and report generally, and specially from actual inspection, the quantity, and kinds of articles in each, the suitableness of the Store for the kinds, as well, as the character and attention paid to his trust, by every person charged with the custody of Military Articles. To produce an exemption from expence in Rents and waste or loss from their being divided into so many distinct deposits and superintendances, and a certainty of having our military articles well preserved, and at all times prepared for use, it has been contemplated to erect in addition to the one in question, in two or three other parts of the Union, Military Depots — Documents in the Office will shew the several places where it was thought best to establish them, having reference to the convenience and possible wants of the different States. 16. The Armory or Manufactory for Small Arms at Springfield Massachusetts, an establishment of some continuance, I had supposed was well conducted, and likely to become important to the Public. The Superintendant employed there, was constantly represented by respectable gentlemen, some of them in Congress, and was acquainted with him to be a man of integrity, industry, and attention to his trust, and the work done at the Armory, especially of late has been satisfactory. Apparent facts and circumstances, have however recently evolved, which affect the character of the Superintendant, and discover improper practices necessary to be checked. The measures taken to investigate the facts and circumstances, by an enquiry to be made by respectable and intelligent Gentlemen in the vicinity of Springfield, and the Government, and above all influence, will be seen, as approved by the President, on the Books of the Office. Perhaps immediate orders would be proper, to prevent in future apprentices to private persons, from being employed as workmen in the Armory, their name on the Muster Rolls, and paid for the benefit of their Masters; this practice would appear to lead to abused in the Armory. The Secretary of War, a young Gentleman some time since introduced into the office of the Secretary of War, as a Clerk, has been employed in the extra business, as Translator of the French & German Languages. I had reserved a sum out of the appropriation for the whole number of Clerks, to compensate him for this service, which request may be attended to. I would also suggest, that it was my intention to encrease his Salary, at first fixed at — Salary, which was [strikethrough: fixed at] eight hundred Dollars per annum, having found him faithful, diligent, unassuming & possessed of talents sufficient, with a little more experience to become extremely useful. A young Gentleman whose name I cannot at present recollect, a native of Virginia, on the recommendation of General Henry Lee, has been invited some time since to fill a vacant Clerkship in the Office. From the specimens I have seen of his epistolary style, and the account given me of his talents, I flatter myself he will be found deserving of the appointment and of the salary, Six hundred Dollars, which he has been promised. This letter has been written in too much haste to be correct, and during my engagements in the current business of the Department and those indispensible arrangements preparatory to my divesting myself of an Official situation. It was intended to comprise most of the objects, of the Department of sufficient importance to require your particular attention. I may have omitted several, which will appear to you equally interesting with those I have noticed. As such, present, I shall esteem it my duty to give you every information & explanation in my power. With the most sincere wish that you may fill the Office of Secretary of War, with reputation to yourself and advantage to your Country. I have the honor to be, Sir your Most Ob^t. Ser^t. James McHenry The Secretary of War