[Ephraim Kirby 20^th [undecipherable] Re'd 28 [undecipherable] about [undecipherable] Due] [47] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. B.F.O. 401310.] Litchfield March 20. 1797 Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Commissary of Military Stores Philadelphia [Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r.] Dear Sir March 20.^th 1797 Your favour of the 14.^th instant enclosing a deed is received. The deed I believe is of no value to you — Josiah Stodard, the Grantee, has been dead about eighteen years. — Darius Stodard who left it in your hands died a bankrupt about five years past — the deed does not appear to have been record, therefore the Grantor to Josiah Stodard might have, & still may convey a good title to any other persons — There does not appear that Darius Stodard had any title — the possession of the deed could give him none, nor can it give you any. But what is conclusive against any advantages which you might expect in this business, is, that these lands have been sold for taxes long since if no owner appeared to pay. — There cannot therefore be a possibility of your deriving the least benefit from the deed. I will thank you for accurate and full information of the proceedings of your legislature respecting the Connecticut Claims, especially when any thing conclusive shall take place. — I am respectfully your Obed.^t Serv.^t Ephraim Kirby