War Department May 30. 1800. Sir, I have received your letter of the 28 instant respecting some inferior crude Salt petre which was purchased by M^r Francis If upon enquiry you should be able to ascertain that it can be refined at such a rate as that the quantity of pure Salt Petre produced therefrom would more than compensate the expence that would be incurred, I have no objection to your having it done; if otherwise it may as well remain as it is —— I am Sir with respect Your obedient Servant. James McHenry Israel Whelen Esq^r Purveyor [Docket: May 30. 1800 / Secretary at War / to / [undecipherable] Purveyor / Saltpetre in the Store of / M^r [undecipherable] Francis / Deposits to be refined prov[ided] / ca it would pay the expence]