[Hodgdon 27^th May 84] [SALEM postal mark] [10] [1/] Benjamin Lincoln Esquire Hingham Massachusetts [favoured by M^r Appleton] --- Dear General Philadelphia 27^th May 1784 My [undecipherable] for M^r [undecipherable] has informed you. that [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] stones, and [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and that M^r [undecipherable] the person from here to [undecipherable] you in capacity of [undecipherable] miller was on Board [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] was waited [undecipherable] only the [undecipherable] on board, [undecipherable] having [undecipherable] having prevented M^r [undecipherable] from coming on and a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] between me and the person who had the [undecipherable] I have refused to take them and shall now have [undecipherable] [undecipherable] men and upon the most [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is the best construction. The [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from the time he [undecipherable] from here, and as you informed me it would be [undecipherable] enough if the [undecipherable] in July or August I conclude no [undecipherable] [undecipherable] can arise from the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] most respectfully yours [undecipherable] [undecipherable]