[Docket: Michil J. Houdin / Albany October 26 / Received D. 31^st [1796] / Answered] [326] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. R.P.O. 401810.] Albany 21^th Oct Ber 1796. Sir. I send You Withi[n] find enclosed the receipts Signed in duplicate, agreable to your requisit, I will be obliged to You to forward the amounts of all last accts Lastly Sent on together With M^r M'Thorn's acct, for the Carrying [undecipherable] — Your letter to M^r Dickenson has Gone Safe, as he does not attend the Court now Sitting at Albany, it is Mystery to me, to What Reason he absconded from the War office, respecting the [undecipherable] of, for the Violations in the Year 1796 should I appear [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] itself, if having Pending on at that time the Vouchers for both orders should they be Mislabeled or lost it is not My fault, or Whatever else M^r Chapin has Made of it Cannot — Reduct for. If I recollect right, Sir, You have been so Good as to inform Me in one of Your favor that You Would Do Your endeavours to Get Me an Petition to [undecipherable] Salary. I should Suppose it to be in the power of the Ben[?] the Secret at War, and Would be thankful to You to Mention it to him as I, Do really Stand in Need of, and am hardly able to Support the [undecipherable] character of a Gentleman, the prices of boarding, Lodging &. increasing daily — I — make no doubt, Sir, but you will be So obliging as to attend [undecipherable] that at your leature here, as I Cannot truly afford to Stand it much longer, it is So that I should — remain upon the Same Footing. If I am not Mistaken, Sir, I Did Did tick the Liberty once, of requesting you to Write to Me under the Cover of the ben[?] James A M'Barry, do that they Should Come to Me, from I had to pay right Shillings of your [undecipherable] for your last favor together With the other[s] included Papers — it remains to Me, to request to Present my best respects to M^r Thos. Hodgdon and family, Decept of My Sincer Wishes for Your Well fare in all your undertakings and Believe Me With a Great esteem — Sir, Your Most obed^t & Humble Servant Houdin Sam^l Hodgdon Esq^r Superintend^t &^c