[Endorsement on cover: Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1804. R.P.O. 401310.] [Cover address: undecipherable] [Endorsement at foot of cover: No 22 [undecipherable] New London [undecipherable]] New London in Virginia [date: undecipherable] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1804. R.P.O. 401310.] [undecipherable] as this part of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] My[undecipherable] [undecipherable] I can say that I intend [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] which I hope will not [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] when [undecipherable] come to this place I Did not Expect to Stay above one year but I have Staid [undecipherable] and where I'll Stay until [undecipherable] fell [undecipherable] I'll have [undecipherable] three years longer if it Continues to be Conducted in the [undecipherable] expensive Manner in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] When I Came to America I Did not Intend to be[undecipherable] as a [undecipherable: Journeyman] under any one but to Establish Myself in a Manufacturing [undecipherable] it is Still my Intentions I hope Sir that you will be Satisfied as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as a gun Maker than I inform you that of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] by me in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as follows [undecipherable] Sullens [undecipherable] all the [undecipherable] belonging to them [undecipherable] Clark [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [my]self [undecipherable: fabricator] [undecipherable: file] Stock [undecipherable] furnished [undecipherable] part of them not [undecipherable] any Other Person [undecipherable] Right to any Credit Concerning the Making of them [undecipherable] as above mentioned I would also Inform you that the [undecipherable: forgoing] or Smiths work are [undecipherable: Equal] as familiar to me as the Stocking of the gun and I believe the Various Articles Machinery [undecipherable: Trowls] &c I have Made Since I have been here will prove and Sir as you are in Some Measure acquainted with my [undecipherable: Abilities] [I] Should Humbly thank you to Inform Me by letter if I [undecipherable] to [undecipherable: Philadelphia] Whither there is Any [undecipherable: probability] of my Obtaining a Contract to Make [undecipherable] Government [undecipherable] to be Other ways Employed by them if you think not I purpose going from hence to New York your Answer Shall [undecipherable] be Esteemed a great [undecipherable: favour] and May be the means of Saving me a great Expen[undecipherable] [undecipherable] Sir [undecipherable] [signature: undecipherable]