My dear Sir Col. Stevens tells m[undecipherable] exhausted the money you [undecipherable] in preliminary [purchases?] of [undecipherable] & is in debt with [undecipherable] & likely to be compelled to workmen & Such a State [undecipherable] things is hurtful to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the Administration & [undecipherable] — It ought to be [undecipherable] if possible — [Stevens says?] [undecipherable] has been taken to [excite?] [undecipherable] alarm him — & he fears they have had [some?] effect. [I am?] [undecipherable] to him [I] think to [propose?] that I have the most [undecipherable] [undecipherable] acquainted with his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [bespeaks?] you there in [undecipherable] of confidence in his [prudence?] [frankly?] also — But in [plain?] [undecipherable] [underline: displease] — to trust the [undecipherable] must not stagnate [undecipherable] [undecipherable] & uncertain about the [undecipherable] Y[ou]rs truly [undecipherable] [James McHenry [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Trenton] [Gen. [undecipherable] respecting [Col.?] Stevens[?]]