[Hodsdon] [XXX 171 [undecipherable] 1206] Dear Sir Philadelphia 13. March 1790 This Morning I was honored with your Letter of the 9 instant— You was perfectly right in regarding mine of the 4^th as a private letter. I meant it as such, and feel grateful for the reply— You inform me— the collectors were pitched on as Pay masters to the Invalids, to prevent the Public Money being locked up— will you permit me to inform you, that Delany told me that [undecipherable] he suphosed that was the idea that gave rise to the appointments as they Stand— but that to his astonishment, previous to the day of Payment the Secretary of the Treasury remitted actual Specie to the amount of [underline: Eight thousand three hundred dollars] to discharge the abstracts, altho' he had an abundant Supply on hand— the only reason assigned was that no breach might be made in the Cash on hand, as it stood in his monthly return— I mention this fact, as it may [undecipherable] what might seem, a bar to his application— to be excused from again paying those people— I will however, at a suitable time mention the matter again to M^r Delany, and if agreeable to him, get him to back my application for the appointment— In the mean time, Sir, if any alterations should be meditated in future that I am not privy to, [undecipherable] thank you, as you have kindly engaged to do, to cooperate with me in obtaining the appointment as it will fill up all my time and afford me decent Support.— With respect and esteem I am Dear Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon [endorsement: Annuatte [undecipherable]]