London 7^th May 1796. Sir, When I had the honor to address you on the 4^th of December last I did expect that the Mathematical Instruments then mentioned to be in forward=ness would have been completed within a short time but notwithstanding almost daily Solicitation on my part and as repeated Promises to finish them on the part of the Workman they were not sent me till within these few days, and which is the reason that your Order has not been long since complied. The desire too to send you the Articles perfect in their kind made me engage the first Artist in that line (Ramsden) and the Multiplicity of his Engagements added not a little to the Delay; I hope however you will now soon receive them and that they will give Satisfaction. They are under the Care of M^r R. Bird who will be the Bearer of this Letter. — I doubt whether the Plan of the Water Level made part of the Theodolite or was meant to designate a different Article induced me to order a Telescopic Level there being no Instruments under the two Names. The Theodolite I understand is a complete one for the purposes for which you want it. With respect to the Cost of these Articles I am necessarily obliged to trust in a great degree to the Workman himself. Some of them appeared to me high priced but on Inquiry of other Officers I have no reason to think them charged extravagantly or at more than the customary Prices. — I now send you Muller's Practical Fortification & Elements of Mathematics which have been procured after some Search. I believe I have exceeded your Order in sending the whole of Muller's Works but as the last of them Viz those more expressly on Artillery was inconsiderably I ventured to send them with the rest as they are reputed of good Authority on their respective Subjects and being scarce might not be easily procured at a future day if you were desirous to have the whole. — With respect to the Payment for these Things as Bills are not to be had on Philad^a it has been judged the better mode to take Payment here from the Funds of the Department of State which will accordingly be done as soon as Remittances shall arrive on that Account. I inclose Copies of the Account for the Books &^c and have the honor to be with great Respect, Sir, Your most obed^t Servant, Don^l Allen Peal. The Secretary at War.