Philadelphia 2 March 1799 Dear Sir On the 28 I received your favor of the 21 ultimo I am sorry to hear the Iron forwarded has proved faulty. M^r Annelly attended to the purchase and as I understood examined every bar — I have made a requisition for the two tons you request, and the order is given for the purchase of it, as soon as received it shall be forwarded. The Iron you prefer is not to be had, but C^o Jolly has plenty of Such Iron and M^r Nicholson is employed to select such as will best answer your purpose you may rest easy it will be with you soon — I have seen M^r Brindley he goes again to your Post to stake out the upper Canal, and to assist you in making your report — all will remain as at present until your report arrives — your description of human nature is too true, it is to be lamented, Hope our Anchor on many occasions fails here, the perverseness must be borne — That your Superin- tendant should join the discontented, would be a subject of Surprise if you had not accounted for — He was always restless, but interest has been his Pole Star; and by it I should still expect he will shape his discourse — But let him do as he may and the whole Assembly take his part — you have nothing to fear your duty is plain and I know you will execute without the interference of any one — I hope when it is found that you are firmly resolved to pursue that line of conduct which you think your duty and the Public interest requires that strife will subside and subordination and good humour be restored — Col^o Bull is here, he has considerable Sums due him in your vicinity which he wishes to be paid to you that he may receive your Drafts for the amounts here I conceive it will be an accommodation, and have given him reason to expect you will close with the proposal. He will write you on the subject, I wish to know if any of the Men are discharged that the advances may be Stoped — adieu I am Sir Your Most Ob^t Servant Samuel Hodgdon [M^r John Mackey] Philadelphia 4^th March 1799 Sir, By a letter received from Colonel Joseph Williams I am informed that on Monday the 25^th ultimo the Buildings occupied by the Armourers, the Filers & Finishing Shop, were discovered to be on fire in several places on the Roofs, but by the timely and unremitting exertions of the Men at the Post and the inhabitants of Springfield the fire was extinguished with the loss of some part of the roof and a few Gun Stocks the number of which was not ascertained when the letter was wrote — The Buildings being of Wood and compactly situated exposes them necessarily to accidents by fire — to guard against it ravages, M^r Williams suggests for consideration the propriety of digging a few more Wells & Sinking two or three large Cisterns as reservoirs for Water near the works, and that a good Engine be provided and Stationed at his Post, these provisions aided by those which the Town afford he thinks will effectually secure the Buildings — Col^o M: Mackey has recommended the Same measures to be pursued for the preservation of the Public building under his care at Harpers Ferry in Virginia — I am Sir Your Most Obedient Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon [James M Henry Esq]