[Copy] Philadelphia, May 23. 1800 Sir, I have rec'd. your Note of this day and have read all the papers. This whole Business is so entirely new to me that I have read the Documents with great surprise. I highly approve of the proposed inquiry and of your letter to Mess^rs. Shepherd, Parks and Ely. I am Sir with much Esteem Yours John Adams Secretary of War True Copy from the Original in the President's Hand Writing Thos. Newman Clk War office [Docket: Copy / President Ad. to Secretary of War / Highly approves of the proposed / inquiry into the Conduct of the / [undecipherable] of the Factory / at [undecipherable: Springfield?]]