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War Department 28^th Sept.^r 1798.

Sir,

I have received your letter dated Watertown 20.^th Instant, enclosing a letter which had by mistake, been transmitted to you, directed to General Alexander Hamilton --- you inform me that the Governor will cause the convicts, to be removed from Castle Island, and that this Fortress will be ready to receive the Troops of the United States, on the 2^nd. day of October Next. That you will then I presume according to your Instructions, examine it, and report its [undecipherable] to receive recruits, and for a General rendezvous, for which use it is contemplated, as well as a deposit of Arms.

(you also mention that it has been suggested to you that the Military Stores and Ordnance, will be charged to the Account of the United States, and wish directions, whether you shall receive the whole, or such part only as is necessary to the defence to the garrison - To this question it is difficult to give any other answer, than, that it will be proper for you to receipt to the State for its property of every description which may be confided to your care. but at present considering the Fortress on Castle Island as very important to the defence of the harbour and city of Boston; it is not contemplated that the United States are to pay for such Articles as may be there and not necessary for the purposes of supplying the Fortress tho Uses it was designed for, except indeed, such articles as are destroyed, or [undecipherable] by use as Powder, Ammunition [undecipherable] but to speak understandingly on this subject, it will be necessary to wait a return from you.

I am Sir your Obd'^t H. Serv^t. James M^c. Henry [flourish]

Major Daniel Jackson [undecipherable] Copy from the records