[Cover endorsement: letter from [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] Aug [undecipherable] 179[undecipherable] / Commissary on [undecipherable] Stores / from [undecipherable] / Springfield Arsenal] [Postal label on cover: FROM / Springfield] Springfield Aug 7. 1794. Sir I received your Letter the first of this Month informing me of my being appointed Superintendant of the public Armoury at Springfield also in case that I acept the appointment to repair immediately to that place, to receive Instructions from Mr Hodgdon — I did do acept the Appoint=ment — and have according to the directions of your Letter come to Springfield to take Mr Hodgdon's directions relating to that Business — but as he is not here, and no Instructions for me shall return home to Bridgwater as there is nothing for me to do till I receive them — and would pray your Honor that Mr Hodgdon write to me parti=cularly what I must do, and that it be left at the Post Office in Boston. and will attend im=mediately to it as soon as I receive it. — As I am now here I would just mention that I see no building erected where I can have the advan=tage of Water which you are sensible is very necessary. necessary indeed for the making of Arms to Advantage — and that there is a very valuable Stream for this Business one Mile from the Pub=lic Store, that a Priveledge may be bought on very good Terms, And should be glad that your Ho=nor would express your mind on the Matter — I am Sir with Sentiments of Respect and Esteem your Honor's most Obl^d. hble Serv^t — (Signed) David Ames Honble The Secretary of War