[Address panel; text at upper right, rotated:] [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] Washington [undecipherable] 1793 [undecipherable] S. [undecipherable] 21. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Samuel [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Philadelphia dear Sir Harpers ferry august 16 1793 I have by let you know that Mr Brindley and my Self arived here on Sunday last & were happy to find M^r Lear here by whom I Send this to be by him Put in to the Post office in george Town. we have yesterday made an examination of the two Rivers and Shall Proceed to go on with the Same to day and as Soon as I know the result will let you know. I intend going to Shepords Town tomorrow to in gage Carpenters and Brick layers to [undecipherable] to Put The Shop in order of which M^r Lear gave me [undecipherable]ion yester day. Please to inform my Son of my Safe arrival here and tell him to tel me how the [undecipherable] are and how the City is with regard to the fever. I am Sir with much [undecipherable] your obedient Serv^t Joseph [undecipherable: Ritkins?]