[Docketing: Copy — To the W^ble Samuel Dexter Secretary of War — [undecipherable] June [undecipherable] 1800] Philadelphia 9^th June 1800 Sir On my coming into the Office of Secretary of War, I found Colonel Mentges Officiating in the Appointment of Inspector of the Troops & garrisons of the United States — under the appointment of General Knox, in which employment he has continued ever since; he has also been entrusted with the general agency, relative to the fortifications on Maryland, the procuring of Materials the pay of the Workmen an disbursements of all monies on the same, for which he is intitled to the usual Commission; he has in the management of this trust conducted himself with integrity and diligence, and I believe by his attention in procuring Materials an their applications has saved a considerable Sum to the public I recommend him to your consideration & I have the Honor to be [Copy] James Mc Henry The W^ble Samuel Dexter Secretary of War —