[G. Town July 23] [Addressed to:] James McHenry Secretary for War Philadelphia [Endorsed: recd. 25 July / 22 July / [undecipherable]] George Town 22^nd July 1798 Sir, The Bridge is not in perfect Safety for want of some Additional work. So it was represented to the Stock holders of the Bridge Company at their Meeting in Nov. last— And it was then determined as the only practicable means of raising the absolutely necessary sum, that the Stockholders attending would Advance 15 Dollars on each Share held by them. And that the Absent Stock holders Should be— solicited as a measure highly interesting to them, to make Similar Advances. These proceedings have already been laid before you — we have now to add, that the work contemplated is so essential to the Security of the Bridge that we thought it dangerous to delay it, And therefore it has been commenced, And is now going on. And that there are no means of paying the expences but by the Advance recommended at the Meeting— A few of the Stock holders Only, have yet paid the money, but the greater part of them have taught us to hope that they will do it. Under such circumstances, permit us to hope that you will advance to M^r Gantt, the Treasurer, 15 Dollars each, for the Shares held by you The Company is already in Debt upwards of 15,000 Dollars, but they [undecipherable] Shares to a large Amount. The moment these Shares are subscribed, [undecipherable] they Should not be soon Subscribed, as fast as the Money can be received from the Tolls, which we are happy to say are increasing & promises well. The Advances now made will be returned with Interest — And no part of the Money will be applied to the payment of Old Debts. We are Sir, Your Ob^t Serv^t [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Directors B Stoddert