Philad^a 17^th Sep^to 1800 Sir, I have duly received M^r Newman's letter of the 16^th Ins^t. inclosing the Contract signed by Edward Thompson, and the bond signed by him & his sureties but not sealed, which I returned Complicated — the Contract has been sealed by M^r Thompson in presence of both the Subscribing Witnesses & myself, and the bond by each of the obligors in presence of Isaac Trump one of the Subscribing Witnesses and myself — I have subscribed my name as a Witness to both the Instruments — when I received your letter of the 4^th Ins^t. I called at M^r Thompsons Store & dwelling house without seeing him; he afterwards called on me and stated that M^r Baker being out of Town he was unable to deliver the bond at that time but expected he would return in a few days and asked if he might examine & compare the Contracts; I replied Certainly, & put them into his hands — Some time after he called and told me that having discovered an omission in the Contracts he had sent them to you to be altered, this I knew was out of the Course that ought to have been pursued but as it could not be recalled, I forbore making any observations on it to him ——: wishing with great Sincerity a Speedy recovery of your health — Hon^ble Sam^l Dexter Es^qr I remain &c Sec^y of War