Philadelphia 21 September 1793 Sir, I am favored with your Letter of the 13th instant – My self and Family – Blessed be God are nearly recovered from the Malignant disorder that has made such havock in our own City, the scene has surpass’d everything that I have before seen – the dying, groans has filled our [] all night, and the dead has reached on our Eyes with the returning day – whole families have been swept away – we have great cause for thanfulness for reasons at large offered in my side – it was morally and almost physically impossible for infection to have reached any of the Clothing – indeed a large part of the Clothing was on the road before there was any infection in the City – however, it were necessary it would have been better to have taken the precaution[s] when the Clothing has reached its desti- nation I never conceived it necessary any where – I am very sorry to find your own articles have not reached you – and that any part of the Stores appear to have been unnecessarily detained on the road I wish you to make particular inquiry into the reason of such detention, and if they are not Satisfactory to you – Note it in the Back of the receipt when you give them, and I will then take proper Measure with the Delinquients The President of the United States is gone to Mount Vernon – the Secretary of the Treasury to New York – the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to Virginia, and the Secretary of War to Boston – the last has left my hands full of business – no Franks are left, all Letters now Pay Postage – you charge what you pay – No papers are printed consequently you have no News [for] the Printers, with more than half the Inhabitants of the City are gone into the Country all business is at a stand Thank you the copy of my form[?] letter and must request the same favor for this – I have no one to assist me Knox is better and removed into the country – adieu – I am as ever Sincerely yours Samuel Hodgdon