New London May 23^d 1796 William Clark has Just returned to this place and delivered to me your favour of the 9^th of April with its inclosures, He also brought with him the Articles forwarded to M^r Ball as well as those committed immediately to his own care in Philadelphia except two dozen files to wit 1 dozen fine Irish half round smooths and one dozen feather edge, whether these have been lost on the way or not packed up in the first instance I cannot tell I forwarded my General Return of Stores on the 9^th of April and hope it has reached you long before this time I have the honor to be respectfully Sir your Obedient Servant Tho^s Holts Samuel Hodgdon Esquire [Col^o Holts 23 May 96 New London] [22] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Intendant of Military Stores Philadelphia [New London 25 [undecipherable] May]