[undecipherable] some little History in [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The [undecipherable] has [undecipherable] Philadelphia 30^th July 1790 Sir, With the approbation of the President of the United States I appoint you Superintendent of the Armory about to be established at Bishop's Ferry on the Potomack in the State of Virginia — Having engaged a suitable person to construct and execute the Works upon [the?] commencement of the business to be [undecipherable] men [undecipherable] under your Superintendance you will commence [undecipherable] from your [undecipherable] and begin the Work — The first thing that will command your attention is the providing Work Shops and Barracks [undecipherable] for the men to be [undecipherable] — The buildings already erected on the premises you [undecipherable] most [undecipherable] make, and [undecipherable] of them purposes, and [undecipherable] being, a suitable Wooden building for a Barrack may be built, when these are erected the Men may commence their labours upon a small scale until the [undecipherable] Mill machinery is completed when the Work will be in full operation — [undecipherable] Keep in [undecipherable] while [undecipherable] and proceed [undecipherable] to make such purchases and payments as the business [undecipherable] for your direction may warrant — In the first instance the Men may be [undecipherable] either by [undecipherable] at the [undecipherable] in the vicinity, or by drawing rations [undecipherable] may determine to be more for the interest of the Public — The [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] you must [undecipherable] from — When the Buildings are ready, and the Work is to begin, you will make out a return of such materials and tools as are wanted and present it to the Storekeeper, who will supply them — [undecipherable] to furnish them taking your receipt for every article supplied, [undecipherable] will keep an accurate account of their expenditure for all work projected and [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] materials [undecipherable] returned into the Store you will take a receipt [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] and the cause of the delivery, this will enable the Storekeeper to make his returns up to the true State of the Stores under his care — As the race or canal is [undecipherable] to the business contemplated, [undecipherable] shall endeavour to engage a person skilled in [undecipherable] to go forward with you on [undecipherable] it as soon as possible, in the mean time the Buildings may be preparing and when finished [undecipherable] work as can be [undecipherable] without the aid of the Mill may be [undecipherable] on — The foregoing is all that can be offered for your guidance in the present state of the business — Further instructions will be sent to you as occasions require — Your Pay will be as established [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Pickens [undecipherable] Armory