War Department, 10^th October 1800 Sir, [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. B.P.O.401810.] I request your particular attention to the subject of the following Extract of a Letter to me from the Secretary of the Treasury; "I submit to your consideration the expediency of taking measures for securing and placing in proper order the muskets which belong to the public and which I have some reason for supposing are too much dispersed. A Letter from Phelps & Sandford dated September 18, contains a representation on the Subject; there are other Arms in the custody of Mr. G. Houdin of Albany: James Watson of New York: Jeremiah Yellott of Baltimore: Samuel Annin of Harper's Ferry, and Archibald Crary of Newport, which have been either imported or manufactured in the United States, and which may possibly require attention. Mr. Hodgdon can inform of various other deposits." You must be sensible of the injury to which the public interest is exposed by Arms being "dispersed" situations where no one is responsible for their safe keeping. You will therefore use your best exertions to procure information of all that are not under proper care, and to have them removed to places of deposit where they will be safely stored, and duly attended to. I am uninformed of the quantities of Sulphur in the public Stores. Large quantities are offered for Sale. Please to inform me how much is on hand and whether or not it has been customary for the Manufacturers of Gun Powder to furnish that Article. Gen^l Wilkinson writes to me that "when at Harper's ferry in order to expedite the public service, I prevailed on the Agent there, Mr Annin, to send to Pittsburg from the stores in his possession the following articles which may be deducted from the requisition heretofore made in favor of the first, second & third Regiments Infantry, viz, Six hundred Cartridge Boxes & Belts; Six hundred Bayonet Scabbards & Belts; Seventy two Non Commissioned Officers' Swords & Belts— One Hundred Muskets; One Hundred Cartridge boxes & belts; One Hundred Bayonet Scabbards & Belts; Eight Sergeants' Swords and Belts; and one hundred & fifty Infantry Coats (which may not however affect the former requisition) for the recruiting service at this place and the surrounding Country, as the Quantity will not I believe exceed the demand." To this I request your attention as well as to the enclosed Copy of a Letter from Mr. Pitcairn respecting Arms shipped at Hamburg for the use of the United States. With Respect I am Sir Your mo ob^t [undecipherable: probable reading humb. Serv^t] Sam^l Dexter Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r New Haven 13^th Sept^r 1800 Oliver Wolcott Esq^r. Sir We wrote you some time since respecting the Arms in our Store. The Makers of them tell us, that they will be much injured (the Wood part as well as Iron) unless they are overhauled & it appears so to us. We therefore wish your directions on the Subject. Sign^d Phelps & Sandford [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. B.P.O.401810.] [the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 21. 1894. R.P.O.401810.] Hamburg 9^th July 1800 Sir I have the honor to hand you the Accounts of Several Shipments of Arms made from this, by order of Rufus King Esq^r our Minister in England for the use of the United States. It is also by his directions that I hand you the enclosed documents, with a Copy of which he is also furnished. 7000 Stand of Arms Compleated @ 6 &⁸ 7/100 [Hm?] 135.000. 8 63,500 Gun Flints 934.— Banco Marcs 135,934. 8 You will no doubt observe that these Arms come much cheaper than those made in America or England, even when the freight is added and the Expence of Insurance. I believe the Government might rely on having any quantity of them at the same rates, and perhaps even something lower, as hopes are entertained that the War in Europe draws to its ends. Copper is here made of good quality and to any form. That for Sheathing Ships sells @ 31/100 p^r lb. American Weight the large bolts Nails Rudder pieces &c sell at 30/100 p^r lb. Should there or any other objects here merit the attention of Government, so as either to advise purchase or require more detailed information, it will give me great satisfaction to facilitate its views. With the greatest Respect Sir, Your most obed^t Serv^t Sign^d Jos. Pitcairn N^o. 1. To New York Consign'd to James Watson Esq^t 500 pp 10599. 2 2. To do... p^t Prosper Williams to do... 3500... 65601. 4 3. To Baltimore J. Jellott... 480... 6751. 13 4. To New York J. Watson... 1720... 31023. 5 5. To do... J. Watson... 800... 14594. 9 7000 pp. Recapitulation To Baltimore p^t Cleopatra Captain Counor to J. Jellot... 480 To New York James Watson... 6520 7000 To New York J. Watson 63500 Gun Flints E.E. sign^d Jos. Pitcairn