Boston 28 Dec^r 1796 My dear friend I arrived here yestr the evening before the last and yesterday received yours of the 2^d and 19^th the latter containing the protest of my acceptance of Gen^d Jackson's draft— My mortification on this head is extreme— (My son having dyed on the road, and having buried him the last evening, I have not hitherto been able to make any arrangements whatever— at present I can only say, that the notes shall be taken up by remitting the part, or the whole within 60 days from the time they became due. I should hope if I remit two thousand dollars, and draw [undecipherable] days for the remainder that it would answer — I pray you to see the cashier [undecipherable] and directors, who are your and my friends and &c— [Endorsement: [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 28 Dec^r 1796 rec^d [undecipherable] January 1797] James Hodgdon Esq^r Philadelphia [postal mark] [undecipherable]