[Copy] Philadelphia April 27^th 1798 Sir The appearances of things at present authorise the conclusion that Government will take the most effectual Measures to provide Arms for defence, and it is also to be inferred that the means will be adopted which are the most certain, and the most cheap. As Importation is rendered precarious by the Hostile Attitude of two powerful Nations, and is not safe as to make them, I have concluded that the latter mode will be resorted to, either by establishing a Manufactory at the risque of the public to be conducted by its agents or by Contract, as the latter may appear uncertain tis not improbable that the first will be practiced, in which Case I presume the following Considerations will be regarded. 1 The Safety of the Situation 2 Its conveniency for all necessary objects 3 The certain Supply of Materials, Provisions, and Labour 4 The Prices of those Articles The Situation which embraces all these advantages in a preeminent Degree is fully described by the Chart which is now [undecipherable], it is about 8 miles from the City of Richmond on the Canal, has at the advantages of Water Communication, is in the heart of a rich Country and contains heights high as to afford very easy defence ag^t an invading Enemy, besides the advantages of carrying every article necessary to be moved by water, near 200 Miles into the interior Country. In the Bank of the Canal may be erected every kind of Machinery, necessary in making Arms of every kind, Cave Magazines, for Military Stores and furnaces, from which they can be removed either up or down by water, or sent by Waggons, in Case of Necessity may be thrown into the River, and concealed 8 days. James River abounds in provisions and Mills and has every essential Material which will be wanted, such as [undecipherable] — altho Iron has not yet been extracted from James River, the many [undecipherable] if worked, and others Contemplated, authorises the conclusion that Iron will soon be an article of Exportation, of course it must become cheap. Stone boat can be delivered at the Mill at [undecipherable] per hundred, Load Wood at 2/2 Doll. per Cord of Charcoal will bear a proportionate price, much of the necessary work may be done by the Blacks who hire from 50 to 60 Doll. per Annum. There are many other advantages which might be mentioned to induce a preference to this place over any other, provided it should be found expedient to establish a public Manufactory. But in Case it should be deemed more wise to procure the Arms by Contract, it is unquestionable that any person having the advantages of this place in question will be able to undertake a Contract on as favorable Terms as can be offered. As the promoter of this project, I have thought it not improper to make this communication; so that the Officers of Government to whom it may belong, may have before them the election of places — being myself unable to improve it, or derive all the advantages which it is capable of, I am inclined either, to sell or lease as much as may be wanted for public use, or if a different plan should be pursued, I am disposed to engage to Manufacture under Contract, such [undecipherable] Arms as may be wanted in that quarter. Having been in my Youth in the Counting House of M^r James Hunter, when he acted principally for the United States, I have acquired a considerable knowledge of the [undecipherable] to conduct such an undertaking, and could now draw together as many persons capable of the work as would enable a very speedy commencement. Therefore in whatever point of View the property which has been described may be deemed useful to promote the public Weal, I shall be disposed to treat, and make more Specifie declarations when apprized that such will be attended to. I have the Honor to be Sir Y^r Mo^st Ob^t Se^r [signed] James McHenry Esq^r [endorsement: Henry [undecipherable] / from [undecipherable] / 27 April 1798 / [undecipherable] Arms / [undecipherable]]