by the State of Jersey as of some importance — All who are acquainted with the Service of Field Pieces know that the preference is given to Brass on account of their lightness and being less liable to bursting — If these objections can be removed which I think they easily may be. The State for the money the Brass Pieces will cost may have, at least five times the number of Iron Pieces which I think equally good — Muller gives the preference to Iron Guns and says that after repeated trials he can warrant the Strength of such Pieces will be found equal to any Service — Iron Pieces can be had at all times at short notice, which is another Circumstance that should give them a preference I am Sir, James McHenry Esq Your Most Obedient Servant Secretary of War, Samuel Hodgdon Philadelphia 26^th November 1798 Sir: I have perused Captain Frye's letter; I am of opinion that until Armourers are raised and attached to the Troops as is the case in time of War, the small repairs wanted to Musquetry at Posts contiguous to cities ought to be done by private Workmen under the direction and conduct of the Commanding Officers of Corps, who should Certify the Accounts to the nearest Agent of the War Department for payment, and such Certificate ought to be conclusive — The transportation of Arms wanting small repairs would expose them to further damage or perhaps absolute loss, and the charge of transportation would be more than the repairs — In the present instance I think Captain Frye had better deliver his damaged Arms to Colonel Stevens in York to be repaired and returned — I am Sir, James McHenry Esq Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon