[Stamp: Received / from / State Dep. / Nov. 24, [undecipherable] / F.O. 40[undecipherable]] Navy Store, 24^th June [undecipherable]— Sir I had the honor of receiving your Letter of Yesterday's date, wherein you mentioned that you wish me to State to you the difficulties that arise in my Mind, against receiving certain articles sent to me by M^r Harris— in answer to which I beg leave to inform you, that I have not been authorised to receive any Stores from [undecipherable] (or her Agents) of the late French [undecipherable] &c— but such as belonged to the Navy Department; nor have I had any Instructions whatever to receive any part of [underline: them] [undecipherable: probable reading through the Medium of] the Military Store. Nevertheless, when it was represented to me, that Checks, [undecipherable] & some other articles, part belonging to & part suitable for the Navy Department, had been sent to the Military Store;— and a request made to me to receive them;— from a Spirit of accommodation, I acquiesced; but had no Idea of taking charge of any thing, but what was either expressly purchased for this Department; & fit & proper to be issued out for the use of the Ships of the Navy;— least of all, had I any Idea of receiving articles purchased expressly for the Military Department, & not in use in the Navy, such as Blue Plains, & other inferior Woollens, part of which had been kept until they were Moth eaten, & past otherwise damaged— I know it hath been Said, that the Moth eaten, and other indifferent Woollens, will answer for the purpose of placing under the Sheathing, of Vessels of War,— be it so,— I still Say, that if I venture to exceed the bounds of my Instructions, by receiving articles from the Military Store, which I am confident will be of Service to the Navy;— I do not feel myself equally at liberty, to receive articles not usually call'd for in the Navy, or damaged articles; merely because there is a possibility that they may be wanted Some time or other for Sheathing;— I will just observe that I have had the charge of this Store, 23 Months, and have been call'd on to supply one Vessel only, with Woollen for Sheathing the whole time.— I have inform'd M^r Harris that I am willing to keep the Checks (which I know of right do belong to the Navy Department) also the [undecipherable] & [undecipherable].— Such of the Woollens as will answer for Cartridges, I will likewise keep, if you please.— I remain Sir Respectfully, Your most Obedient Humble Servant Robert Gill [Address panel on cover: Samuel / Hodgdon by [undecipherable]]