West Point 28^th April 1786 — Sir Agreable to contract made with M^r James Marrow, I certify that the s^d James Marrow has cleand Five Hundred Stands of Arms for the United States at eighteen ninty [undecipherable] of a dollar [undecipherable] each, and is intitled to receive Thirty seven pounds Ten Shilling for the same, at the War Office, New York, Ten days after this certificate is produced, which makes up the number Two thousand Five Hundred which he has cleand — The Hon^ble Maj^r Gen^l Knox I am Sir — Secretary at War West Point 12 May 1786 — Sir I believe you misunderstood me in my Letter of 26^th March. Respecting the Armourers — as I did not mean to have a Contract — But that the men should be kept during their good behaviour and there was work for them to do — — — I believe there is about One thousand French, Hessian & English Arms that is repairable Including those that must be stocked and the old Stocks will be wanting to up for Stocking Some of the Others — I mean these good will do for soldiers, a Considerable number of the Others will Make [undecipherable] Guns fit for Arm'd [undecipherable], and the Rest Will be worth but Little else than to [undecipherable], then [undecipherable] be some that will do to help mount the Best Arms — M^r Marrow is of the Opinion that it will take at least Thirty Months to repair and Stock what is worth doing in the Sum of Eighteen Months as you proposed — he is also of the Opinion that all the Arms mentioned as above may be repaired and Stocked Including one with the Other at three Dollars each, and Offered to do them and find the Stock for them that wants it — I expect in the Course of a few Weeks to be able to determine Accurately what is and what is not worth doing — and as Soon as done Shall Lose no time in transmitting it to you —