Sir N. B. April 16, 1794 I have the honor to make known to you, that it is the opinion of the expert brevetée employed on the military purchases, that no one less than 30 to 40 or 100 tons of gun powder can be procured in So. United America your just requisition of that article — This opinion which I immediately stated to the Secretary of the Treasury has brought into view the probable necessity of importing Gunpowder or Salt petre from abroad. The present estimation is given with a view to inducing a consideration on your part, whether the public service, or prudence it may not require an increase of the order already given to this office if gunpowder is to be had by importation — Will you be so good as to inform the Governor of Pennsylvania that Tench Francis Esquire is the Agent for the War Department, in their matters, relative to the sundry contracts about which he enquires of you — This request I take the liberty to make from an opinion that a communication to the chief magistrate of a State from the general government should only be through the head of a department. I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, yr^s Your most Obd^t Serv^t The Secretary at War