[20] Secretary at War Sir Navy Dep.^t 6 May 1800 I have examined the Papers you gave me respecting a purchase of property from Potts of [undecipherable] Harpers Ferry as to the Estate. [undecipherable] are, the object of most importance that certainly ought to be purchased, if Potts estate is purchased - [undecipherable] [undecipherable: probable reading "believed"] that this estate even with-out Potts might answer the public purposes of a furnace - & could be erected at Harpers Ferry, which is doubtful. But when establishments are made for the United States, they ought to be made on a Scale [undecipherable] if the house was to be durable [as] as if the establishments were intended for a great Nation - and render the Sales, which I believe is a great one, both estates should be purchased the reserve $1,000 p ann from Potts. He re-serves the right of having his son to attend. Suppose as his son is stated to be [undecipherable] he might well [undecipherable] to another Company go and the [undecipherable] dolls per annum - [undecipherable] perhaps to a third for a third $1000 [undecipherable] of an [undecipherable] however that his estate is worth 200 dolls p ann a fair price for the fee simple would be somewhere about 2,4000 or 2,500 dolls or even 2,600 [undecipherable] which I think you ought [undecipherable]. I presume it will be necessary to take the Atty [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of the Property -