[Docket: Springfield 23 April 96 / David Ames / requesting the transmission / of 33½ Dollars – / recd 27 April 1796 / 63] Springfield, April the 23. 1796 Sir I would wish to avoid the imputation of being troublesom and hoped you would have been pleased to [undecipherable] him Money to enable me to follow up the [undecipherable] of the left Quarter, but the Gentleman, it a [undecipherable] I suppose my [undecipherable] accounts are left in [undecipherable] of a most [undecipherable: probable reading "insolated"] [undecipherable]. And [undecipherable] your Honour to excuse me while I plead that you would furnish me [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as are [undecipherable] to carry on the [undecipherable] to the best advantage — the amount of the [undecipherable] for the left Quarter is 330½ Dollars, which was [undecipherable] you the 3 instant. [undecipherable] for which as the time is now that the poor [undecipherable] the workmen, and other ways [undecipherable] [undecipherable] pay. To have [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] but [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and will be paid [undecipherable] nothing [undecipherable] which will effectually [undecipherable] them. I have in a letter to Col^o Hodgdon just mentioned our want of Money at this [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] him if [undecipherable] agreeable to [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] assistance in the [undecipherable] of Your [undecipherable] that I may the more readily to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I [undecipherable] prevents your attending to my request. I have the Honour to be with the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] your most humble Servant David Ames Honourable Secretary at War