[The Secretary of War Received [undecipherable]] [F. D.] Sir Decem. 27^th 1798 I transmit a project of Mr. M^cCormick for changing the principles of his engagements for manufacturing arms for the public — He at [undecipherable] as deemed [undecipherable: proper] to agree to it[,] the superintendance & direction ought to be with your Department — this proposal is submitted to your consideration and whatever you may determine in his favour will meet with [strikethrough: no objection from me] [undecipherable], to find as respects a subsequent [undecipherable] Mr. M^cCormick's [undecipherable: present] contracts, provided the advances already made, shall be assumed. I am very respectfully The S[ecretary] of War