War Department, January 30, 1801. Sir, I am informed from a respectable source that the Arms at Shepherds Town are left in a state which exposes them to injury, destruction and felonious removal; that some of the pistols have been carried off to Kentucky. You will be pleased to examine into the fact and report it to me without delay, and if there exists no important reason to the contrary have [strikethrough: them] all the public property now at Shepherds Town removed to Harpers Ferry and there carefully deposited: should there be any reason for delaying a compliance with this arrangement you will communicate it to me immediately. I am. Sir, With respect, Your obed^t Serv^t Sam^l Dexter M^r Samuel g Annin [War Department January 30, 1801 Secretary of War relation To removal of the Public Stores from Shepherds Town. Entered in Book A letters no page 17 N^o B/13] [rec^d 5 Feb^y 1801] [FREE War Department [undecipherable: Dexter?] M^r Samuel g Annin Paymaster M^r Harpers Ferry c/o Military Storekeeper]