[undecipherable] [h R Richardson] War Department 4^th Decem^r 1800 Sir, I have received your letter of the 2^d this morning. In September or early in October the records being destroyed I cannot refer to the date I wrote to you according to your proposal to supply the Troops in Maryland the ensu[undecipherable] Year. Not having heard from you since, I am now at [undecipherable] last offered this Contract to another person his answer is not yet received — should he decline the Offer 13⅓ [undecipherable] I shall be willing to Conclude a Contract with you agreeable to my first determination. I am Sir &^c