[Tench Francis Esq— Purveyor of Supplies [undecipherable]] [Vol. 36 No. 107] T. D. May 23^d 1799— Sir, Having made considerable advances of money to Mr. Robert M'Cormick on account of his contract for fabricating muskets for the United States, he has with a view of repaying the said advances, made the following proposition to me— Viz: "That for the first six months commencing the first of June next, there shall be retained out of the monies which may become due to him on account of work done for the [undecipherable: probable reading "filers"], the sum of one hundred Dollars ↄ week during that period — and that from and after the expiration of that time untill the whole of the advances made to him is repaid — there shall be retained out of the monies as aforesaid, One Hundred &fifty Dollars ↄ wek." I have therefore to request your co-operation in carrying the foregoing proposition into effect, which it is conceived may be done, by deducting the sums intended to be retained from the amount of his weekly bills for labour performed and placing the same to his credit in our Books — subject however to be paid to him hereafter, in the event of the due performance of his contract with the United States for fabricating three thousand muskets. I am with Consideration Sir Your Mo. ob. hu[mble Serv]^t Tench Francis Esquire Purveyor of Supplies