[Copy] West Point April 8^th 1794. Sir I expect to forward an account of Guns Pistols and Bayonets in about a fortnight, and hope to go on briskly with the Business the coming Summer, if I am not prevented by the ungenerous conduct of those who wish to retard the Public business in this place by influencing my workmen to leave me. I refer in this instance to M^r ThomasAmily whom I employed as foreman of the Shops for some time. He left this place in december, and is now employed by Government in Philadelphia. He has wrote several letters to entice away the People employed by me. This which is matter of absolute fact, shews him to be utterly regardless of the Public Interest as he very well knows the great difficulty of keeping hands here, on account of the disadvantages of the place. Unless this conduct receives a check, I know not but my hands may be enticed to leave me as the City is so much more agreeable to them than West Point. One word from you Sir, to Major Hodgdon would settle this matter and confer an additional obligation upon Your Obedient Servant Joseph Crantz The Hon^ble the Secretary at War [Letter from M^r Crantz to the War Office relative to his [undecipherable: probable reading "Shops"] April 1794. Rec^d & referred to Thomas Handly —]