Sir Newyork, 3^d Jan^ry 1799. I have your two esteemed favours before me, inclosing the list of Articles I stand charged with. When I took the agency for the War department, I appointed Captain John Pray, a Person of good Character, whom the Military Committee in this City employd for four years; to superintend the Works, receive all Materials, & sign all the Bills for Work done on Governors Island: and when those Bills have come forward with his Signature, I paid them. I advised the Secretary of War that I had made this appointment, and whenever my accompts have been sent forward, they have been regularly signed by him. With respect to the Timber and Plank I have not yet got any Receipts, only of the Delivery on Governors Island. I made a Bargain with a Person to raft and deliver them to Captain Pray Lumber at a certain price p^r Log or Piece, and the payments for such quantity as has been rafted and Delivered there, has been made by me when certified by Cap^t Pray to have been received by him; as the Accompts and the accountant M^r Simmons will prove. Not more than two thirds of the Logs I purchased has been sent to the Island and used there. The Rest are hauled up on this Island out of the reach of the Tide water, and in the Spring will be Delivered, as the Workmen want them. As to the Implements: I have Captains Frye's receipt for what are deliverd on Gov^rs Island — The Powder Barrels, were filled with the Powder purchased by John Delafield, and I made a Return of them as marked U. States Powder N^o 1 to 967 with the Marks marked on them also, together with such quantities thereof as I have from time to time Delivered agreably to the orders of the Secretary of War. I do not know how I can get, or what constitutes the Vouchers required for the Lime Stone, Sand, Hair &c. Used about the different Buildings on Governors Island: there has been built, a Guardhouse, Hospital, Barracks, a Large Oven for the Garrison, Officers quarters &c &c &c, and unless Cap^t Pray's receipt, or that of the mechanics employd on these Buildings, will be sufficient, I know not what to produce as Vouchers — I should think that Cap^t Prays receipt or that of the Commanding Officer would be enough to entitle me to have Credit for it. As to my Commission, 2½ p^r Cent on the amount I have transacted already, would amount to no more than $1100 — which would pay little more than Clerk hire and Stationary bills. I agree with you that a commission would be best, but this is the last part — if my whole agency consisted in Purchasing and delivering it would be ample; but I have not only to do this, but also to superintend and direct all matters; in fact, my time is wholly taken up, and it hurts me in my private Business so much, that it would have been my interest never to have meddled with it, but it seemed to be fixed that I must be the Person; and I really wished to convince a number of Persons here, that my Political Sentiments were firm towards the Government of [strikethrough: our] Country, whose Happiness and Welfare I ever wished, indeed it was high time for me to change Given since the French Republic meditated the subversion of our Government and consequently our Independence. My business when I took this agency was worth to me at least from 6 to $7000 per year, and at present, I have no time to turn my attention to any other matters than this troublesome undertaking — and had there been a Person here, capable of doing what I have done I never would have accepted it: there is a vast deal of writing, and not a little matter to direct, and provide materials for four hundred Persons who are employd in different branches of Work — and to inspect, Cannon, Shot, Shells, & proves & repack Gunpowder and other articles necessary for the War Department to order, provide, and accomplish — I have no objection to your talking to the Secretary of War on the business, unless you think it would be better for me to ask him directly myself — I cannot think it would be amiss your speaking to him on this matter as you could explain the difference between simply purchasing for Government and doing what I have done — General Hamilton & every one else thinks I ought to be well paid for my services, but I shall be satisfied with what is right and just. I have had Cast at Forty pounds per Ton, a Parcel of Bombs for the Mortars and Howitzers, say One hundred for each Peice, them which were delivered to me being unfit for use — Those purchased, are Cast agreably to a Pattern made by Major Flemming, & such part as have been delivered I have inspected, and they are the best and most compleat I ever see — You will find the rest of them in my December accompts — I am with Sentiments of Esteem Sir Your mo^t ob^t Ser^t. John Havens. Sam^l Hodgdon Esq^r