Scripto · Papers of the War Department

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174
Philadelphia 9th August 1798

Sir,
I have recd with attention Mr Harris's Letter which you referred
to me —.  My sentiments as they relate to situations similar to the present one
well known—  When fear so far prevails as to become the predisposing cause
of the disease feared let the situation of the person be what it may be
ought to remove—  It is evident.  Mr. Harris is very much alarmed of
course if the above conclusions are just he ought to be permitted to retire to
a more safe retreat—   But with respect to a removal of the Stores, the
danger in my opinion is not so great as to Warrant such a derangement
to say nothing of the cost—  All the articles in the Store must be
supposed to be free of infection, many of them are essential to the support
and comfort of the Army and Posts for which they were provided
and under existing circumstances every effort should be made to
forward them to their several destinations—  To suffer ourselves to fall
by the sword while we are only fearing death by disease is not rational—
To keep the store in safety and the business going on, it will be proper to
secure the services of as many of the Persons belonging to it as are willing to
continue in it—  If deserted or only partially attended to, accident or design
may destroy it and its contents, an evil more serious in its nature and
affects than any other I can conceive of—  With the men thus detained,
a Guard may if found necessary be added— and with this send some
person of more information to attend to the receipts and deliveries
the business of the store may be carried on and the Public business at
this critical moment must certainly requires this—  On the whole
it's clearly my opinion the Stores ought not to be removed— present
circumstances are opposed to the measure in every view— If the [indecipherable]
should become general and the People atached to the Store should
be disposed to leave it, while my life and health remains I will use
my best endeavors as formerly to keep all entire and secure.

I am Sir Your most Obdt Servt
James. McHenry Esqr Secretary of War } Samuel Hodgdon

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174 Philadelphia 9th August 1798

Sir, I have recd with attention Mr Harris's Letter which you referred to me —. My sentiments as they relate to situations similar to the present one well known— When fear so far prevails as to become the predisposing cause of the disease feared let the situation of the person be what it may be ought to remove— It is evident. Mr. Harris is very much alarmed of course if the above conclusions are just he ought to be permitted to retire to a more safe retreat— But with respect to a removal of the Stores, the danger in my opinion is not so great as to Warrant such a derangement to say nothing of the cost— All the articles in the Store must be supposed to be free of infection, many of them are essential to the support and comfort of the Army and Posts for which they were provided and under existing circumstances every effort should be made to forward them to their several destinations— To suffer ourselves to fall by the sword while we are only fearing death by disease is not rational— To keep the store in safety and the business going on, it will be proper to secure the services of as many of the Persons belonging to it as are willing to continue in it— If deserted or only partially attended to, accident or design may destroy it and its contents, an evil more serious in its nature and affects than any other I can conceive of— With the men thus detained, a Guard may if found necessary be added— and with this send some person of more information to attend to the receipts and deliveries the business of the store may be carried on and the Public business at this critical moment must certainly requires this— On the whole it's clearly my opinion the Stores ought not to be removed— present circumstances are opposed to the measure in every view— If the [indecipherable] should become general and the People atached to the Store should be disposed to leave it, while my life and health remains I will use my best endeavors as formerly to keep all entire and secure.

I am Sir Your most Obdt Servt James. McHenry Esqr Secretary of War } Samuel Hodgdon

Page 174 BJA01 [right margin: Page 174 BJA01]

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