[undecipherable] New York July 23^d 1796 In obedience to your Commands I have made very necessary inquiry Relative to the Mule Straw [undecipherable] was from the best information I can get from the reason of the Season impossible to procure Straw of [undecipherable] and length in this place, there is a large quantity of Straw [undecipherable] for Sale about 8 miles more near New York, Which I this Morning went to see & found abundance of [undecipherable] of sufficient length and were in general from 20 to 28 Inches assorted. I think it is very probable they May be purchased on reasonable Terms, as the place was [overstocked?]. the Past [undecipherable] with Straw — I conclude from the best [undecipherable] more there Straw are to be 80 [undecipherable] at the Bull on Powers and, I am anxious to be informed if I am right in My Conclusion [strikethrough: whether] it is the [undecipherable] of the States — there is between [undecipherable] knowing what is for the [present?] [undecipherable] too [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] there being [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] in more many difficulties I would [wish?] to call your attention to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at Corlars Hook, [undecipherable] of that Business [undecipherable] to be [done?] until this [undecipherable] all [undecipherable] is directly [undecipherable] there by being exposed to the [undecipherable] many principal timbers [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] particularly [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] ready to fall into the [Ship?]. The [undecipherable] are employed [getting?] the [undecipherable] out of the Water about 4 Weeks after a [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] then [undecipherable] at Corlars Hook, there are 13 Rafts containing about 70 [undecipherable] in each, yet [undecipherable] [Works?] [undecipherable] could occupy them [undecipherable] to get down the Sound and where these [undecipherable] are hauled up they will require to be well Stored & protected from the weather [undecipherable] cannot be done in the present [Situation?] of that Year I [acquainted?] the [proprietors?] with about [10?] [undecipherable] more for that [undecipherable] [them?] is given for the present Year [undecipherable] The Hon^ble the Secretary at War