Richmond, September 4^th 1786 Sir, Having returned to this place from rendonder in hopes there would be Money at least a letter for me by this time, but find I am intirely diappointed. After writing to you by M^r Sale, I learnt by Geo: Wells Esq^r the Rebel Morris Esq^r has sent him some Gen^l Instructions for fixing the Publick Stores in this State, M^r Wells told me he would write to M^r Morris to be more explicit & to inform him if the Artillery Stores were to be left, M^r Wells told me he has no Acct yet these Species of Stores, valuable as they may be to the Continent, would not sell where they are deposited in this State for perhaps a 6^th part of their values. I shall if any one would give as a Year, (Rent of a good Storehouse) for them. I had intended to have given up my charge this Month to any Person M^r Wells was Appointed to receive them, although no orders have ever come to me yet, from any one for that purpose. But now find I must be under the Necessity of retaining them longer, to prevent my own Ruin. A M^r George [undecipherable] that has brought a Suit against me for his drag due him, &150. yet he had served as an Assistant to me last Summer, & hearing I mean to give up my charge I learn this late, he says he took advice & 3 eminent Lawyers, & he tells him the 2 was advice to him in this State to Protect a Continental Agent was no law in this State to Protect a Continental Agent from Paying all Publick Debts he may contract even though though he may not have obliged himself to receive it paid. — I presume I must defend the Suit, as I have the other one that sued me for Similar &c. this was a M^r Henry Lenis a Lawyer. I expect some others will follow their exam ple. M^r Tate tells me you have received Money for me, if so must intreest you to Send it as soon as Possible, me as I am in a disagreeable condition, both in Body & mind having had the Ague & Feaver above a week. On the 29^th of Aug^t made Sale of a few tools a Sea & Sporting Pieces, 12 lb of Morrell &, 81 Barrels of Powder, 160 lbs of lead Pieces, 12 lb of Morrell &, 81 Barrels of Powder, 160 lbs of lead Peices, 12 lb of Morrell & 81 Barrels of [undecipherable], & some Oil and a Coul & horse. The sales amounted to 1223 — which with about 135 worth of Tools Drawn in June last, together with the Debt collected from last year Sales has enabled me to pay up the Publican use of Sundry Accounts and taken their Receipts in full to Amount of £5,450 — Most every thing at the last Sale being bought by those that had Money due them & they biding against one another occasioned chief of the Articles to go at their full value. I have now Advertised some more Powder & lead for Sale the 28 Instant, this Step I have taken in consequence of no Money being sent me, for unless I can pay some part of the Rents due, those who have claims for it, I know will seize and Sell it. Should I not be able to pay it's value, there is Scarcely any Money in [undecipherable] a 10 part of its value, there is Scarcely any Money in that part of the Country and that is their — but I fear if the Creditors remaining will buy much unless I give off low, many of them having Attended before at the Vendues expecting I Should Receive Money which they said was all they wanted. I do not mean Selling a great deal as I do not expect much will Still wells, and as I am told you have Money for me hope you will not Omit Sending it to relieve my [underline: Distressed condition] which will very much oblige Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant Nat Irioh [undecipherable] D.C.M.S. [Major Samuel Hodgdon —]