[Secretary at War] Navy Department 11^th March 1800 Sir, I am favored with your letter of yesterday, on the subject of the purchase of a site for a cannon foundery & of our the best, adapted for ordnance, and of a permanent National establishment for the casting of Cannon &c&c. I can have no doubt but the United States ought to possess one or more such establishments, and I believe the vicinity of Harpers Ferry on the Potomack is a very proper place for one such Establishment, as it has an aspect having the Western Country is near, the entire from water to South of the United States, and being on navigation so differently commanded at the Northside — I will therefore without Hesitation consent, that in your communication to the Northward you shall make use of my name as joining you in opinion as to the propriety of the establishment, if upon the terms you propose of the one, you find it among the expectations you have formed of it. I beg leave to observe, that the foundery here, on a trial just made, affords to be equal to that of Virginia, &has not however undergone all the proof which the other has sustained — I have the honor to be with great regard L^e Robinfroy [undecipherable]