Springfield March the 1. 1790 2 h. Inclos'd is a return of work done in the Shop at this place in the Month of February— It has been so exceeding cold some part of the month that the Wheels could not be cleared of ice so as to go before Eleven oclock in the morning— and a number of days had to then [undecipherable] half the time in consequence of the Frost [keeping?] driving up the water so as not have enough to keep at work — of course have unavoidably been prevented from making out the usual number of Armes— The Stocks I mentioned in my two last will by this means be left a little longer and am in some hopes by a close examination that more will be found to answer of the ones on hand than was expected— Nevertheless hope for your kind interposition as desired before to prevent any loss of time & to accomplish our regular work. I am Sir With the most perfect respect & esteem your most humble Servant David Ames [Captain David Ames 1^st March Aug 7 — 1790] [43½] [8^th Nov R.1 [undecipherable]] Col: Samuel Hodgdon Esquire (Philadelphia