[52] Tench Francis Esq [leosey] Navy Department 24^th Aug 1798 Sir Enclosed is a duplicate of the order given the 13^th August by the Secretary at War for the delivery of the Muskets — This order was certainly received by Mr Harris. If the persons in public Service will Seek to embarrass, instead of doing, the public business, it will be difficult to put ourselves into a State to resist a formidable Enemy. Let me beg of you to have purchased, or obtained, the accoutrements for these Guns. I have the honor to be with great respect &c. --- [Duplicate] War Department 13 August 1798 Sir Be pleased to deliver to the order of the Secretary of the Navy Seven hundred of the worst of the old Muskets now in Store — to be valued by M^r Nicholson, and [strikethrough: to be] charged to Tench Francis, Purveyor. (Signed) James McHenry Navy Department 24^th August 1798 The order of which the above is a copy, was given before the Sec^y at War left Phil. — Why then is there any difficulty about M^r John Harris delivering the Guns to M^r Francis? (Signed) Ben Stoddert