[Docket, written sideways on cover:] [undecipherable: probable reading Samuel Dexter] on Oct[?] 1800 Q. [undecipherable] incl[?] of [undecipherable] fitting [undecipherable] at the [undecipherable] [Stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401810.] [184] War Department, 8 Oct^br 1800 Sir [Stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] You inform me in your letter of the 22 ult^o. that a number of the articles ordered for transportation to the lakes are not in store, or, if in store, not of the description noted at the foot of the returns. The Articles are wanted. I think therefore that you should have informed me which of them are not in store that I might direct the purchase or fabrication of them. I enclose a return of Articles of Ordnance and Military Stores wanted at Niagara, similar, except in one particular, to the Return for Detroit. The delay in stating to me the real deficiencies will perhaps render it impossible to have the supplies forwarded this season. It was not intended that the Articles should at all events be conformable to the General's notes on the return. The Order to you was "to select them as near as may be" to his description. If the Articles were in store, it was not requisite that others should be purchased or fabricated for the sake of having them conformable to pattern. You will please to send me a return of such articles mentioned in the several requisitions as are not in store; and of the best & speediest means of supplying the deficiency by purchase or otherwise. I am Sir Your obed^t Serv^t. Sam^l Dexter Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r