[Docketed on address panel: Captain David Ames / No 16 — 12 Novem'r / 1790] [Numbered on address panel: 17] [Received stamp: Received / from / War Dep't / Nov 21, 18[undecipherable] / [undecipherable] 461310] Springfield Novem'r the 12: 1790 Sir I have sent your letter to Col^t Williams where in you informs him he is to receipt to me for all articles I had on hand at the time of his coming into Office; & that he should procure all Articles in future for the use of the Armoury. I hope Sir you will excuse me for asking whether the clothing for the Apprentices is to be considered as Articles for the use of the factory & procured by Col^t Williams? or whether it is my duty to due it agreeable to the indentures I am bound to appear too; and present him with a bill for payment. by the Indenture I am oblig'd to provide [strikethrough: said] Apprentices with sufficient meat, drink, Clothing, medicine &c. and to me [undecipherable] their Parents, and guardians, look for its fulfillment — If it is not my duty to provide for them in Sickness and health of course should they not be transfered to Col^t Williams? and wish to be informed who is to indent for apprentices in future. It should be glad you would be so kind as to informe me whether I am to receipt to the Paymaster & Store keeper for all the Articles procured for the use of the factory; or whether my [undecipherable] examining Them by the invoices and signing my name is not [strikethrough: sufficient] a sufficient receipt therefor as they are all to be brought into the returns which will show at one view all that has been received, expended and on hand. I Am Sir & your very obedient and most humble Servant (D) David Ames P.S. The apprentices are the cheapest help the Government can procure and shall not be wanting in doing any thing in my power to incourage as much of this kind of Service as [undecipherable]. D Ames [Address: Col^t Samuel Hodgdon Esq^re]