[Extract] H.C. to [late?] [Pickering?] "Philadelphia 10 May 1794" After sundry Matters about the [undecipherable] [war?] measures [House?] — the [Gen?] proceeds — "I am extremely anxious that it sh[al]l be completed in the course of the year, although my headfears that I shall not be able to go there this Summer. The New Corps of Artillery, the frigates, the fortifications, all new business added to my former employments together with the incessant application indispensably required by the political State of affairs, in which I have more Share than I am well qualified for form to a cloud which almost obscures any prospect of getting away, in any thing like due Season. I cannot leave my Situation in this critical State of affairs. The Services of my whole military and political life would be [seen?] in the opinion of those who I [esteem?] in no degree to form a consideration for my quitting at this crisis. I therefore must stay until the Storm shall have passed or I be wrecked [+ This word is not [then?] [undecipherable]] in the general Catastrophe threatened by various causes. But I do not doubt we shall surmount all the evils, which appear to menace and [strikethrough: surround] [surrounding?] us. The most we have to fear is our own conduct — our intemperate [undecipherable] heat and [undecipherable]. But even here the wisdom of the New England delegation, [strikethrough: joined] joined to many others, will most probably save us [underline: even from ourselves]" (Then follows as [undecipherable] writes) "You mention the Commissary of Military Stores. This Office Mr Hodgden has been possessed of in a different Shape for these several years, and has it [acores?]. I [should?] hope some thing may occur, which would be agreeable to you. But my own Opinion is that neither you nor I ought to be in public life, but [to] make some exertions whereby we may better our fortunes. Whether I shall ever have sufficient time to lay[?] a practical Scheme for such an undertaking I cannot tell; but certainly not while I remain in public life." . . . . . . yours affectionately H.