detroit July 7^th 1797 Sir I have received your favour of the 9^th ultimo & make haste [undecipherable] my acknowledgements for your attention to my request - be assured only of your [undecipherable] that provisions will always be made at Head Quarters, under whatever Event, to honour M^r Watkinson's drafts at sight - [undecipherable] prefer this plan because it enables him to appropriate to [undecipherable] occasions with precision - he has [undecipherable] even [undecipherable] in frank. British, national politicks, I hope to keep all parties in temper, but will certainly keep them in order — in this is a Scene of false rumors, wandering — fear & Enthusiasm alternately [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — respectfully &c Sam. Hodgdon Esq^r Ja: Wilkinson [Endorsements on verso, partially legible: General Wilkinson, Detroit July [undecipherable] 1797; additional text undecipherable] the Qr. Mas. Gen^l is [undecipherable] to order [undecipherable] my present Account, one Bassoon, four [undecipherable: Hautboys] & four [undecipherable], a pair of Cymbals, two Triangles, + one [undecipherable: recollection] — with [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Branches, [undecipherable] [undecipherable], &c — I beg your attention to this subject, as we have an [undecipherable] Band, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that music is [undecipherable] essential in [undecipherable] institutions as [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable]