[Captain Ames— 1^st May Recd— [undecipherable] 97] Col° Samuel Hodgdon Philadelphia Springfield May the 1: 1797 Sir I now give my self the pleasure to inclose you a return of work done in the Armourer's shop for the month of April— I find I am under the necessity of praying you to forward the Stocks as soon as possible— there being so many of these on hand unfit for use that I fear the Stockers will not find enough that will due to compleat the present months work— [undecipherable: perhaps "Perhaps"] there being freited [undecipherable] to Newyork either one tedious & expensive as you justly observed, hes better be disposed with than to stand still for want of them. Your favours covering M^r Mannings respecting his inquirey about the muskels has ben Recived— and have wrote General Lincoln for information about them— as soon as his answer comes to hand will immediately informe you— I am with Sentiments of regar & eSteem your most humble Servant Daven Ames P.S. I should fele my self under gale Obligation if you would be so obliging as to informe me what Business is now ageing on at the factory at Newtondam— Whether there Superintendent is— and Master Armourer if they have one— Col° Hodgdon