[Cover/wrapper exterior. Address panel: to / Col. Samuel Hodgdon Esqr. / Philadelphia. Endorsement, lower left corner: [undecipherable] / 29^th March 99 / [undecipherable] 3 [undecipherable: possibly "April"] / [undecipherable]manufactur-] Springfield March the 29: 1799 Sir Concluding it would be agreeable to recieve some communications respecting the progress and improvements made in our buisness at this place I would informe you the prospect is now very flattering in favour of being able in a month or two to make as many as 17 Muskets per day the number proposed to be done — for the present month tis probable we shall complete 13 a day — Time has in a considerable [undecipherable: possibly "measure"] cured the inexperiencedness of the gretest part of our workmen & from the improvements made in the differant parts of the buisness Especialy in the boreing of the barrels in the mode discovered by Docter Fisher — strongly markes the ingenuity of the Author from the improved neatness facility & dispatch [strikethrough: dispatch] made these in — & truly worthy the Public [underline: attention] from the annuel saving it will be to the [undecipherable]. Another discovery by the same person promises egual [undecipherable] but as yet not carried into execution. It appeares we have now good evidence to conclude that we shall make the Armes at this plese in future for a less some than the Government are a giving on privet contracts in the differant States provided there is no unnecessery expence & I am now exceeding happy tis in my power from a strong desire to make a saving of every thing in the Department to informe you (of which I conclude from your known & strong attachment to public and Economy will be agreeable to hear) that from the arrangement we have made the Public need not be burded with any additional expenses for any further assistance of any kind in managing & overseeing the buisness that relates to the Manufactory of Arms. The rold iron iron and rods cut to the differant sizes wrote for by Col. Williams is very much wanted and hope it will come on as soon as possible if not already underway. There is a deficency in the wedth of the buts of the muskets stocks we have on hand and shall want some moore in [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] weeks or use such as will not compare with our patterns — if the [undecipherable] should be your opinion with you would be please to informe me — And [interlined: order] that when more are forwarded that they are got out in such a maner as will agree with our patterns. It would give me grate Satisfaction if I could have the pleasure of seeing you to view the Works and the Situation of our buisness — and hope you will make your calculations so that you will find time before long to grattify my desiers. I am Sir P.S. I have two or three with Sentiments of respects and small improvements in the esteem your most obedient buisness that will be in operation and very humble in a short time Serv David Am[undecipherable] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] Colⁿ Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r