[The first page of this document is wholly or in part illegible. The project has not been able to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically.] War Department Trenton 17^th September 1799 Sir Your letter of the 14^th instant is received. You request that the order [undecipherable] [undecipherable] cannon, for the endowment of Fort Adams; [undecipherable] for a certain [undecipherable] [undecipherable] six and half inch howitzers, & in twenty four [undecipherable] four nine pounders. [undecipherable] the ammunition for a siege of [undecipherable] account the propriety of transport [undecipherable] and by [undecipherable] with New Orleans, clothing destined for the [undecipherable] ports [of the] Mississippi [undecipherable] armed [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] whether the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] advancement [undecipherable] advance required [undecipherable] [undecipherable] permitted [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] Mississippi was more urgent, especially [undecipherable] to be able to supply Fort Adams with thirteen inch mortars, from the [undecipherable] a Contract entered into [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will receive the general returns [undecipherable] the Superintendent, [undecipherable] Increase for eight inch [undecipherable] howitzers, at [undecipherable] two which can [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. To prevent any disappointment in the ammunition necessary, it will be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a return specifying particulars and quantities, be forwarded as soon as possible. I shall immediately [undecipherable] to the Secretary of the Navy requesting [undecipherable] either to carry the whole or [undecipherable] and shall take the route of New Orleans to [undecipherable] convoy, [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] with Regards[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] James [undecipherable: McHenry] [To undecipherable] [General] Hamilton