[Endorsement, rotated: War Office Sepr — 1800 / various matters — / [undecipherable]] [(158)] Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r. Phila^a. [Stamp: Received from State [undecipherable] Nov. 24, [undecipherable] P.O. 401310.] War Office 11^th September 1800. Sir, The Secretary being thro' indisposition unable to attend to Business, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 8^th with the enclosed papers. Major Heth has written to the Department. He states that a well plann'd and extensive Conspiracy to effect an Insurrection of the Blacks had been discovered in Henrico County, Virginia; & that the Executive of the State has taken measures to secure the State arms from seizure, and requests instructions relative to the Arms, Camp Equipage &c. of the late 7^th Regiment, in his care, which he conceives to be in a hazardous and exposed situation. The Secretary of State, whose advice I have asked as to what will be proper to be done, thinks that the danger is not so imminent, several of the Chiefs of the Conspirators having been secured. It appears to me that precautions ought to be used so as on the one hand to prevent the Blacks from getting possession of the arms, and on the other to have them in a safe situation, where the Citizens may, if necessary, have access to them. I cannot venture to direct, but I would give it as my opinion, that you had better immediately put the design you had in contemplation of removing the Arms &c. to Harper's Ferry, into execution. The Colours for the four Regiments of Infantry, you will please to send to the City of Washington, to the address of Brig. Gen^l. Wilkinson. The General has ordered a recruiting party here which is very successful: this makes him anxious to receive the Clothing which you were requested to forward to him. The Secretary of the Navy has intimated a desire of procuring 50 Tons of Saltpetre from the Department on loan. When the Secretary may be well enough to act upon the request, I suppose he will wish to be informed of the quantity on hand, which Information I therefore request you will be pleased to give. I am Sir, With great Respect Your most obed Serv^t [undecipherable] Ch Clk Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r.