Pittsburg 4 August 1797 Sir I have received your letter of the 28 ultimo accompanied by the news papers The Secretary of War informs me that he has instructed you to forward immediately a quantity of Assurance Stores &^ca for which I am to provide for transportation to Mafiac — an account of the weight of the Articles would enable me more accurately to estimate the means of transportation This information I have to request you to transmit by return of post I have this day felt necessary to draw on you at 15 days sight in favor of R^o Campbell H^o for 1600 dollars which be pleased to pay and charge as usual. And I am at the very pressing importunity of Abijah Hunt and some of the 2^d B^t particulars friends induced to take up Daniel Hannagan's draft on the city for 1600 dollars and have this day drawn on you for that sum at ten days sight which you will be pleased to pay & charge to the 2 all B^t particulars account and it is probable I shall be also induced to take up the two drafts mentioned to you formerly in favor of William and Michael Jones I am anxious to know how far you have advanced in negotiation with M^r Ebyuch for the boat hulls land — it is probable that M^r Bects a business will call on you for information on that business and will assist you in it I am Sir Your very obd Ser. Samuel Hodgdon ag^t Philadelphia J.C.