(Philadelphia): War Department, July 14, 1794. Single sheet, 12 1/2 x 8 in. (317 x 203 mm). Manuscript letter in a secretarial hand, signed by Secretary of War Henry Knox ("H Knox"), requesting superintendent of military stores Samuel Hodgdon "to have made a pattern hat, suitable for the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers--It must be cocked in a military form." Creasing from when folded; light edgewear; light abrasion in lower right side, but not affecting text; light ink offsetting in Knox's signature from when originally folded.

During the American Revolution, Samuel Hodgdon (1745-1824) served as Principal Field Commissary of Military Stores under Henry Knox. In 1780 he was promoted to Deputy Commissary General, and the following year was elevated to Commissary General, a position he held until 1783. Following the war he operated a merchant store with former Quartermaster General Timothy Pickering, and in 1791, he was appointed by President George Washington to Quartermaster General. In 1794 he was appointed by Washington to the new position of Superintendent of Military Stores, a role he held until 1800. Following this public service, he pursued a successful business career in Philadelphia.