to your Request — they are all well — Sam^l Sir Yours Sincerely Joseph Howell Jr Esquire [undecipherable signature] Philadelphia June 3. 97 Dear Sir Your favor of the 23 Ult^o with a Copy of M^r. Pierce's letter was reciev'd yesterday — I am glad to hear Major [undecipherable] himself is a nice confidentiale since as I cannot possibly attend in time request you hold off the first [undecipherable] for him — as it will not be attended with any material disadvantage to the Office or to him — I had wrote to M^r. [undecipherable] relative to [undecipherable] and referr'd him to you for every information which I was confident could be given equally as well as if I were present — the business relative to M^r. [undecipherable] I am also happy to hear is in a proper train and all that may be forwarded as also Major [undecipherable] Receipts to M^r. Price as soon as possible you need not forward them to me as your [undecipherable] will be equally as good — when you write to M^r. Price you will please to mention that my present situation [continued]