Philadelphia 12^th December 1798 Sir, To pay a draft on me from the Quarter Master General of two thousand five hundred Dollars and another from Major Isaac Craig in favor of the Treasurer of the United States for Eight thousand seven hundred and sixty nine Dollars and seventy nine Cents agreably to an arrangement made by direction of the Secretary of the Treasury I request a Warrant for Eleven thousand two hundred and sixty nine Dollars and seventy nine Cents to be charged as usual to the Quarter Master General With respect & Esteem I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r Secretary of War Philadelphia 12^th December 1798 Sir By a letter just recived from M^rPerkins I am informed the men that went from hence are all arrived and that three forges were already at Work— the Vessel that took the Tools and Materials was safely arrived at George Town and M^r Mackey was gone to receive them and send them to his post— Has M^rBrindley recived his instructions? The Artist for the Mill Work, and the undertaker of the digging of the Canal are very desirous of having his Report that they may make arrangements for going forward— both are willing to undertake by Measurement as you proposed I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r