Philadelphia 21^st May 1795. Sir A number of Brass Ordnance mounted on Travelling or Field Carriages are ordered on from Springfield to New York to the address of M^r Alexander Smith & to be by him reshipped agreeably to directions given him — as the Carriages of those Pieces are necessarily detached from their Wheels and Limbers for the accommodation of Water transportation, to attach them accurately again will require professional Skill — For this purpose I request you to attend M^r Smith, when shipping them, to know that each carriage is completed with its own appointments and, that they may be known by consulting the List of the Guns and Carriages in the hands of M^r Stormick, where the numbers of each will be Seen. I am Sir, Your most Obed^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon Captain Fred^k Frye Philadelphia 23 May 1795 Sir Your letter under yesterdays date is this moment rec^d. By tomorrow's Post I shall be able to reply to it fully. for the present shall only observe that Major Fleming has been ordered to your City to make proof of the Powder lately purchased by you and others for the Public and I presume he will be with you for that purpose as soon as this letter he is directed to make the Proof with a 5½ inch Howitzer from which a 24 pound Ball is to be propelled at least Sixty Yards with one ounce of Powder — I have some on hands that will throw the Ball one hundred yards — I have written to Cap^t Houdin to send the Brass twelve Pounders to Major Fleming who has Carriages seasoned & compleat for them — at present I see no reason why they may not be delivered to you, if this move tomorrow. I have every possible disposition towards you in securing your valuable Port and trade from every species of insult — In great haste I subscribe myself Your most Ob^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon Col^o Ebenezer Stevens