[Left margin, written sideways:] [undecipherable: probable reading "Answered Sept 6 1796"] Tench Francis Esq^r Philadelphia [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Thomaston District of Maine [undecipherable] 6 Sept 1796 Sir I did not receive your favor of the 28 July until the latter part of August, owing to an excursion further east with M^r. Bingham — The pay for the frigate [undecipherable: probable reading "shall be sent"] the moment I can obtain a vessel which I expect will be this day. it is not improbable but you may receive the [undecipherable: probable reading "pay"] before you receive this. I must load the [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] which will be more than is constantly [undecipherable: probable reading "wanting"], but I hope there will be no [undecipherable: probable reading "objection"] to your receiving all [undecipherable] especially as they will not amount to more than 3[undecipherable] I cannot at this moment ascertain the price, but I presume it would be as low as any other [undecipherable], and the commission a order to obtain them would be acceptable. I have not seen nor heard of Milwood. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant Knox Tench Francis Esq^r Purveyor for the War department of the United States I am disappointed [undecipherable] I expected the [undecipherable: probable reading "owner"] not choosing to let [undecipherable: probable reading "him"] use at an exorbitant price not [undecipherable: probable reading "less"] of $[undecipherable] — If I can lay the [the 19^th] Next [undecipherable: probable reading "post"] hire another, [undecipherable: probable reading "I'll"] do it — if not I am apprehensive it much too late — but You shall hear further from me Knox