[Endorsement: Conel Joseph Williams / 28^th March 1800 / Re: [undecipherable] to Major / [undecipherable] relative to the / [undecipherable] in Ammunition] [Address: Samuel Hodgdon Esquire / the [undecipherable] of Stores / Philadelphia] [Stamp: Received / State Dep't. / Nov. 24. 1894. / B.P.O. 401810.] Springfield March 28^th. 1800 Sir, Your letters of the 19^th & 20^th the former enclosing One thousand Dollars in Bank Notes on account of the Armory— came duly to hand by the Mail yesterday. The Swords, Belts &c fabricated by Mess^rs Buel, Greenleaf & Starr, referred to in your letter— M^r Orr informs me that he gave the Gentlemen the necessary [undecipherable] directions to have them Boxed & Marked U.S. 1799. but took no further charge of them— he however was informed by the two former, that they had directions from the Secretary of War to forward them to Philadelphia to the address of John Harris Esq^r. S. Keeper— those mentioned in your letter to have been received by him— most probably are the same— & M^r Starr also informed him— that his orders were to keep those fabricated by himself till an opportunity presented by some Vessel, sailing from Middletown, direct to Philadelphia & not to have them shipped at N. York— there not coming to hand before this, may be the want of such direct conveyance —— This is all the information I can gather on the subject— Provided a man can be found in the works— capable of making the screws for the Engine Hose— may I be permitted— to make use of the Brass & Copper Scraps in the store for that purpose— or forward on the Patterns in manner suggested in your letter— I am Sir with the utmost respect Your Obedient Servant Joseph Williams Samuel Hodgdon Esquire.