[Draft-partial] War Department Decemb. 14. 1793. Sir I have the honor to submit a Return of the Ordinance Arms and Military Stores in possession of the United States - It resulted from the casual circumstances of the late war, that these stores were accumulated principally at the following points. viz. New London in Virginia - Philadelphia - West point on Hudson's River - and Springfield on Connecticut River; all of which perhaps, excepting Springfield, are improper places for permanent magazines. The important characteristics for magazines and arsenals seem to be perfect security against enemies internal and external, blended with an easy access by water. The expence of land transportation of heavy articles for a series of years compared with that by water, renders the latter quality indispensible for a magazine. The situation of New London being destitute of water communication with the ocean is not a proper place for a permanent magazine, and it would seem therefore necessary that [2] some other position should be sought on James River more suitable for the erection of proper buildings. It may be questionable whether a populous city is a proper place for the repository of large quantities of military stores on account of the residents to which the places are liable to fire and other causes. , it is intended that a part of the stores are deposited in Philadelphia shall be removed to some safe position higher on the Delaware. West Point on Hudson River although a precious link in the chain which binds the states together has on account of the well known navigation of that river, and the ease are so from the Ocean, been considered as an improper place for an extensive magazine. For this reason part of the surplus stores have been removed temporarily to,