West=Point June 25^th 1799 Sir. In a Letter I rec^d from Cap^t Fleming the 23 Ultimo, he gave me the following extract from a Letter which he had rec^d from the Secretary of War. The charges in general [undecipherable] in the account [undecipherable] high — as to induce an opinion, that it will be proper, to decline [undecipherable]=ing in the repairs of small Arms, at West Point, upon the precedent of [undecipherable] establishing charges for several years back — at this time small arms [undecipherable] can be repaired at prices much under, those charged some years since — The following is the Copy of a Letter I rec^d from you [undecipherable] — I have conversed with the Secretary of War on the business of your Letter of the 6^th instant — He directs, that one thousand gun [undecipherable] be sent to you immediately, for the purpose of compleating the six Uniform French Arms, and such other Muskets as may be here after directed — the extent of the business of repairs, and particularly [underline: Nothing], cannot now be given [undecipherable] depend on circumstances; you may however proceed in the business generally [undecipherable] the Uniform Muskets are finished until otherwise directed. I have now in a State of repairing about two hundred and fifty American Arms; about one hundred and forty of which are [undecipherable], and the others in great forwardness — my reason for taking this number was because I supposed there would be [undecipherable] enough to finish them. You see Sir by the above that I have proceeded in the business in exact conformity to your directions, and trust there will be no obstacle thrown in the way by the Accountant or his Clerks to prevent an equitable settlement of my next Account. On examining my book after my returne I found an error in my last Account respecting the Swivel Bands, the Statement should have stood thus, 300 Bands & Swivels at 25 Cents — now as 6 Cents was deducted from each Band on its being supposed to be an over charge, in consequence of which I was paid for the 300 Bands only — it is but common Justice that I should be paid for the 300 Swivels the same price that I am allow'd for the Other Swivels which is 12 Cents each. I wish to know if the German Arms are to be [undecipherable] there are about sixteen hundred of them I think they would be very good serviceable [undecipherable] it is necessary the Mounting should be new Cast — if the Public should think it adviseable to have them done — I think it would be the best way for a few [undecipherable: (say six)] to be pick'd out and put in compleat Order and a proper price fix'd for compleating the whole at so much for each Band. I suppose there is a deficiency of one thousand Bayonets and fifteen hundred ram rods, the guns that are otherwise repaired. I should wrote you long ago had not a long and dangerous Sickness from which I am but nearly Slowly recovering prevented. [undecipherable] your immediate attention and speedy answer to the above well greatly obliges Your very Humble Serv^t Joseph Crane