[Endorsement, upper right:] David Ames Springfield December N.^o [undecipherable] Major Samuel Hodgdon Esqu^r Superintendent of Military Stores Philadelphia [Archival notation, upper left:] [undecipherable] Springfield Decem.^r 19. 1794 Agreeable to promise in my last letter; would now mention to you Something [undecipherable] the better accommodations of the Workmen and apprentices and find that they are a much greater Saving as a Barrack without any thing better to Lay on than is customary for Indians: - and then they draw there Rations they have a Shift in different families which Scatters the Men and makes a great loss of time - and if there is one Set aside to cook for every Season or eight men; it will be Still not as well as to have a Man and a Woman or two to Cook for the whole; if there Should be Suitable accommodations - and the Apprentices must have lodging provided for them; and Shift beds would answer with Suitable covering - and I Should think ought to be Differently Settled from Rations - one person to wash and mend there Close; and Sharp there [undecipherable] and Sir if the Public wish to have the [undecipherable] conducted with the Same economy as an [undecipherable] person which I presume they would - must point out the following as that which appears to me the most Oeconomical - that is, that the work House that was formerly used the Laboratory which now Stands useless; might be appropriated for that purpose; and it is large Enough to accommodate the whole of them - it is Partitioned into conveniences, rooms below - and may be made [undecipherable] above - and if it was Clapboarded and [undecipherable] chimneys put up and Glazed - it would answer a very excellent purpose - it would not cost near So much to keep these Rations was the the case - as if [undecipherable] were [undecipherable] out in the Barracks - they would then all come and go together without loss of time and Each man be ready to answer to the name - and the Man and woman who cook; or if it Should take two women - would with this arrangement be able to wash and mend the Apprentices Cloathes; and perhaps make there Shirts - and Doubt not but the [undecipherable: Public?] would Save more in one Year than would answer to Pay the expense of it - There has a number of workmen been here to engage but Refused when they See the accomodations - I need Say nothing further on the matter; presuming that you will be convinced of the advantage that will result from Such a plan - Captain Byars has desired me to mention to you that he thinks it would be a good thing to build a winter works Large Enough to [undecipherable] of boring and turning cannons; [undecipherable] the Government, it for that purpose and I believe it may be done without a great deal more cost Wish that you would be pleased to favor me with an answer a pattern to work by; and [undecipherable] more Money to keep the post in Countinance - also that I have a Horse allowed for this department; for if I can have matters better arranged - having constant imployment for him in procureing materials; and attending to the building of the Winter Shop; which is better than a mule from the Third and the Expense of hiering will soon amount the value of one I am Respectfully and in friendship your most obedient [undecipherable] servant David Ames Major Samuel Hodgdon