[From Ab.^s Holt Rec^d March 5^th 1796] [New London 22 Feb^y] [Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Issut of Military Stores for the United States Philadelphia Pd 25] New London Virginia February 20^th 1796 Sir I received on the 16^th Instant your favor of the 27^th of January covering Bank notes to the amount of Eleven hundred and Eighty Eight dollars 27 Cents, and sundry Vouchers. Inclosed you will please receive Clarks order for the Payment of Part of his Wages in Philadelphia which I requests that no more money shall be paid on his account in Philadelphia I have also forwarded to you a Return of Articles Wanted at this Post. In consequence of the present unusual and extreme high price of Provisions in this Country the People interested in the Boarding business have applied to me to add to the Sum formerly allowed for this purpose, I thought the request a reasonable one and promised to represent the matter to you. In the mean time the Sum of Eight dollars P Month has been allowed agreeable to my January Estimate and requests you will please inform me whether it can be admitted. I have obliged the People by Promise to agree that the Price shall be reduced to Seven dollars or the former Sum whenever the present exigency shall pass and Provisions return to their usual Prices I have the honor to be with great respect Sir your Obedient Servant Ab.^s Holt Samuel Hodgdon Esquire