[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] important advantages. The Engineer was of course instructed to examine the place from whence he has lately returned. The Commissioner [undecipherable] well acquainted with the Country, and who assisted him in this examination, and [undecipherable] have transmitted a survey of the place of from [undecipherable] all of the adjacent territories which the Engineers report would be completed. The survey has not yet been received and the determination of the Executive is consequently suspended. The Engineers employed for the like purposes in South [undecipherable] made a report, which was received early in the last summer. He had explored that part of the Country to which his attentions had been directed by the Executive. He also examined another. The latter, independent of its being in a more healthful situation, was deemed by him to possess some other advantages over the former. However, he proposed to visit the seat of Government and personally explain his ideas of the subject. This visit was waited for, but not made: No decision has consequently been taken on his report. The prices of Lands and mill posts (for the latter must be comprehended in the plan of an arsenal) so far exceeded those upon which the calculations were made when the plan of erecting arsenals was projected, and seen so rapidly soon after, it is now found that the whole of appropriation for the three or four arsenals which the Executive was authorized by law to erect, would be inadequate for a single new establishment. Hence the principal object, in the measures pursued during the last summer, was to ascertain and secure the most eligible site on the [undecipherable] where magazines could be erected, [undecipherable] certain military Stores . . . . be collected as already deposited, and where, afterwards, the works for the formation of all the implements of war, might be raised, as the requisite funds could be provided. The circumstances which such establishments are to be connected [undecipherable] related to the [undecipherable] of a [undecipherable] of some of [undecipherable] conveniently [undecipherable] the public supply, it would seem expedient to make an experimental [undecipherable] [undecipherable] distinct principle of economy recommend this caution, and the avoiding of [undecipherable] likely to appear in a first attempt, and the probability of [undecipherable] improvements which experience would suggest; in a second strongly enforce it— Springfield in the State of Massachusetts was at once fixed on as a proper situation for the arsenal to be established in the eastern division of the States. Magazines for military Stores had been formerly erected at that place; some additional buildings have been made, and a number of workmen collected, for the purpose of repairing and manufacturing small arms. The former has been executed, and the latter commenced. Department of War, December 12. 1795. Timothy Pickering.