[endorsement notation at top, partially obscured by ink damage: "16 doll: 1100" — remainder undecipherable] [left margin, written vertically]: [undecipherable] [body of page largely undecipherable due to ink damage and cross-written text] Trenton 1. Oct^r 1799 Dear Sir. I received your letter of the 25^th of Sept: and lost no time in men- tioning its subject to the [Secy.] of the Navy. I found him disposed to encourage [a] manufacturing at E[undecipherable], but he was doubtful whether, rope can be made as cheap there, as at places where it would be wanted; and delivered at such places, to the public, on terms which he would be justified to accede to. As these points can be best explained by M^r Collins I think it proper he should see the Secretary. I shall be [strikethrough: always] ready to ren- der him any service in my power. I am with real regard D^r Sir. your ob^t Hugh Williamson James M[cHenry?]