War Office April 13^th 1790 Sir. I have been informed that there are a number of Cannon belonging to the united States lying in an exposed situation at Tuckers mills near Norfolk in Virginia. I request of you Sir that you would make an investigation of this information & if it be as represented that the said Cannon are the property of the united States I request You to have them transported to this place & addressed to my orders I have also been informed that there are near York Town a quantity of Shott & shells which I also request that you would have transported to this place addressed in the same manner. The expences attending the transportation herein requested, must, be formed into a regular account. The names of the persons & the Service performed must be mentioned & explicitly defined, and attested before a magistrate. The Accounts so made out and attested and Certified by you on being presented to me shall be paid — And I shall be ready to make you a reasonable compensation for Your Service in proportion to your time and trouble. — I am Sir your most obedient humble Servant H Knox Col^t. William Finnie