and one and a half rations a day ought to be allowed — If you approve of his being thus employed, and request it, I will sketch out what I conceive to be suitable instructions to make his services truly valuable to the United States, and submit them for your consideration — If engaged he may immediately go forward with the materials and tools providing for the Post [undecipherable] With Sentiments of Esteem I am Sir Your most Obed: Serv:^t Samuel Hodgdon James McHenry Esq:^r Philadelphia 31 Oct:^r 1798. Sir, I duly rec:^d your letter of the 31^st instant with the Papers that accompanied it but hitherto have had no time to examine and reply to them, being alone in my Office on account of the prevailing fever and having various business to attend to. You will recollect a General Return of all public property at Springfield is required of you on entering on the duties of your appointment, of course those in the hands of the Superintendent of Armourers are to be included — You certainly are to give the Superintendent a receipt for every article he has in hand — without this they cannot appear in your return — with your receipt he must close his accounts to the time you mention — after that period he will account to you for the Expenditure of all Public property put into his hands. All articles procured in the Factory will be procured by you consequently they will be received into the public Stores and from thence delivered to the Superintendent agreeably to your instructions. In ordinary cases relative to the delivery of any article under your care you will be governed by the strict letter of your instructions in extraordinary ones like the present a latitude must be given and prudence must direct, I shall name this apology [undecipherable] conclusive and pass the singular Vouchers [undecipherable] mention to your credit, which will be a justification of your conduct The form of the Certificate referred to shall be sent to you shortly. You may at all times state any difficulties that occur it is my duty and I shall feel pleasure in removing them. The Books and Stationary shall be with you soon they are ready for transportation I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon Colonel Joseph Williams. Philadelphia 1^st November 1798. Sir, Every preparation is making to bring the Public Works on Potowmac into operation — We want your Estimates and drawings, and in consequence of your letter I have long expected them, but concluded you had sent them to the Secretary of War, but as I find that is not the Case, I write to you to save time, you may either send them to me, or address them to him as you think proper, by all means send them on or come with them yourself immediately — Mr Perkins is now present — I am Sir Your most Obed:^t Serv:^t Samuel Hodgdon Mr James Brindley Philadelphia 1^st November 1798. Sir, I received M:^r Hagners letter of yesterdays date enclosing a receipt for the Warrant on account of the Quarter Master Master General. It is signed as requested and returned through the same medium as received — I am Sir Your most Obed:^t Servant Samuel Hodgdon Williams Simmens Esq:^r Accountant