[Endorsement on cover, rotated:] [undecipherable] — 10^th Oct^o 1800 — [undecipherable: Granoucrptis] — [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. B.P.O. 401810.] War Department, 10^th October 1800. Sir, 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 M^r 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. M^r Hodgdon can inform of various other deposits." You must be sensible of the injury to which the public interest is exposed by Arms being so 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, M^r 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 M^r Pitcairn respecting Arms shipped at Hamburg for the use of the United States. With Respect I am Sir Your mo obedient Sam^l Dexter Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r