Sir Philadelphia 22^d March 1794. I am of opinion that the thousand Dollars advanced by you to James Carey on Public Account ought to be settled with his other expenses incurred on his journey, as the money is expressly sent to us for that purpose. If I was to pass the Auditor would consider it some advance and as such it would probably forever remain. Suppose for a moment Mr Carey should die, or stay and be lost in either case it is unreasonable to expect Mr Carey would return to me with a certificate of the fact as a voucher to an account for payment as he is already paid, and it is certain without this being done I could not obtain credit for the payment. If however the above mode is not adopted, the receipt should be presented to Colonel Hartley with directions to adjust the Account. I am Sir respectfully yours Samuel Hodgdon James McHenry Esq^r Sir Philadelphia 23^d March 1794 This moment I am favoured with your letter of the 16 Instant with its enclosures. I conclude you must be in error and thank you in your next to inform me how long the Ship Carpenters are expected to be employed at your post. Your draft in favor of [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] James Hamilton was presented at [undecipherable] going of our [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with your attention in forwarding his receipt. I note what you say of the Muskets and Pistols [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] to prevent the transportation of any more of those articles. I am surprised at your Account of the bore for the 24 pounders as it was performed by [undecipherable], [undecipherable] more experience in that [undecipherable] branch than any other in the city. He was measuring hundreds, of all sizes, of the most [undecipherable] and very sufficiently short and heavy it may be applicable to the 18 pounders, but I am inclined to think it has better be provided for its [undecipherable: original] use. I am [undecipherable] has [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and since those [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] it [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] be [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I will take particular care of the Ship Carpenters [undecipherable] and will furnish [undecipherable] articles they may [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I will make a proper use of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and respects your [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] particularly [undecipherable] more than you will find in the papers. A [undecipherable] is missing from the store which is supposed may be [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] to you will [undecipherable] you on his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I am Sir Your most Ob^t Servant Samuel Hodgdon Maj^r J Craig