[Captain David Ames 15^th May 1790 Rec^d 18— Advises of the arrival of Iron and Stock— Wants a file Cutter—] [162½] [17] [Received from. State Dept. Nov. 24 1894. R.P.O. 40138:0.] Col^e Samuel Hodgdon Philadelphia Springfield May the 15: 1790 Sir, I would acquaint you that the Iron & Stocks come to hand the twelfth instant— there was 25 less Stocks than they come for— & 152 that are so notly crack'd & split that they will be unfit for use. I mentioned to the Secretary at War that a file cutter might be employed to good advantage in cutting over the old files; there is two or three hundred dozen now on hand— I have no doubt new ones can be made here to better advantage than to by them. If it should slip the memory of the Secretary at War I wish you would send a good faithfull man for that purpose— there is none of that craft to be had here. I am Sir Your most obedient & very humble Servant David Ames Col^s S Hodgdon