[undecipherable] Fort Washington, March 3, 179[undecipherable] Your letter of Yesterday was this moment put into my Hands, and [read?] its contents. — In no conversation with you or with Col. Sargent, did I ever authorize the building of a [undecipherable] [undecipherable], & such Idea must have originated in mis-apprehension on your part; I feel the strongest in-dinations from [undecipherable] motive per-sonal as well as public, to contribute all in my Power to the accom-modation of that Gentleman, but I do not consider myself autho-rized to sanction the Erection of the Edifice now in Hand, [I] have the honor to be Sir [undecipherable: his most obt] Ja: [undecipherable: Wilkinson?] [Ayer N.D. No. 983]