[Duplicate] Department of State Philadelphia Dec^r 5. 1797. Sir, The Governor of Pennsylvania has written to the President of the United States a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, requesting a letter to engage your interposition to procure the necessary permit for exporting from Great Britain Ten thousand flanes of arms for the use of the State of Pennsylvania. By the Presidents' direction, I now adobefs you, and request you to apply for the permission above mentioned, to be furnished to M^r James Ketland, of the City of London, who is the agent of Mess^rs Thomas and John Ketland of Philadelphia, who are the Contractors for supplying those arms. I have the honor to be very respectfully, Sir, Your Ob^t Slwant Timothy Pickering. Rufus King Esq^r Minister Plenipotentiary Y^r Y^r London