[Docket: 103 n. 1800 / [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] / of a Factory Store / dated [undecipherable] April 1800 / [undecipherable] Savannah / [undecipherable] the Factory [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] McHenry] [Address: [undecipherable] Commanders / Inspector [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] the Ministers [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] McHenry] Philad.^a April 20. 1800. M^r. Edward Wright, Sir, Your Letters of the 1^st, March 31. ditto 21^st not came duly to hand. the draft in favor of your brother I have enclosed to him. which will be duly paid. nothing is yet done respecting an Appointment. I expect the Secretary of War will write you on that subject. I now enclose you an Invoice of Merchandize. Shipped this day on board the Sloop Independence Joseph Briggs Master for Savannah - addressed to M^rs. Joseph Clay - amounting to Two thousand One hundred fifty nine Dollars dime half cent - to which you may add two and one half Per cent for Insurance to Savannah - The Rifles, which did not arrive in time from Lancaster, will be sent by the next Vessel for Savannah - I hope all will arrive safely to hand. which will furnish you with an Assortment for the Summer. I think it will be best for you to keep. the Skins & Peltries which you may take in after the reception of this letter at the Factory. where you will have them under your immediate inspection. until cool weather - if they are sent down to Savannah during the hot season. they will be apt to engender the Worm on the way. occasion considerable expense while at Savannah. and if Shipped from thence to this market in Summer. certain greater damage on board the Vessel. As the ^time Season for Shipping to England is over for this Season - it will be best to keep them in such a situation as will ensure their safe keeping thro the Summer & save expense - in this instance the Factory (where they can be tented and Aired daily) appears to be the most proper place. - The Committee appointed in Congress to enquire into the state of the Factories - report - that the Probability is, that the Capital of the Factorys will soon be exhausted (in expenses. bad debts &c) but have advised the renewal of the act respecting them. to remain in force for one year. I hope by that time we shall be able to lay more ample and satisfactory testimony before Congress. which may. induce them to think more favorably of the establishment. In order to accomplish this end - Economy must be rigidly observed. so far as is compatible with the principle of insuring success to every branch of the business. no bad debts must be contracted. but as many of the old ones settled. as possible - and after the Goods are exchanged for Peltries - these must come in good order to market. that they may meet a ready sale - in consequence of which, the Factories would be regularly supplied with proper Assortments of Merchandize and instead of losing, keep their Capitals whole after paying every expense - and thereby be made to answer to Government, the full design of their institution. I am Sir. your most Obed.^t Ser.^t [undecipherable signature]