[Center Writing, top to Bottom] Fahn: 18 Sept

Samuel Hodgdon Esquire [Indent] Intendant Stores U. States [Further Indented] Philadelphia

[Bottom Right hand corner] Seth B Wigginton. [Undecipherable] 20 ___ 1797

17 [Print from stamp] Received from State Dep’t Nov. 24 1894 R.P.O. 40I810. 132

67 [Top Right hand corner] Fahn: 17th Sept. 1797 Sir. [Indent] When I last wrote you, [undecipherable] are now to have had it in my power to give you full information of the quantity [undecipherable]c. of shot deposited near this place, but am disappointed e W. Jo. Perkins who disputed[?] to get an accurate^ account of them from, inform me he knows nothing of them more than that he was requested by you to call &[?] report their situation, which he did, but was not employed to do anything more with them

[Indent] I then made application to John Shode org who was principal agent[?] for Jas Hunter at the time those Balls were left on his Sands and he referred me to Col.o Williams Fin- =nic of W_msburg who writes sws he did contract with Col.o Isaac Lasee[?] at different times for large quantities of military, or warlike Stores, but does^not reeoflel [?] any thing of S this particular parcel, and recommended me to May.or/ Pryor of Richmond/ who acted as D.b. Mil Stores about that time, which I immediately did, Ur[undecipherable] a letter from him last night Stating that he examined his papers relative to his retiems[?] Ue[?] of Stores, but could not find any account of the quantity mentioned, or but observers it is possible. he may have overlooked it, and that if its worth while to take a trip to Richmond I shall have free ascess to all his Books [undecipherable] them As it is uncertain whether I cou’d get a satisfactory account of them by going there, I have not thought it desirable to be at the expense of a journey to that that filaa [?] ’till there was no other alternative left to get the information wanted

[Indent] I have had conversation with some of the what[?] dants[?] of this place suspecting the person who Houred[?] the Balls in question (without liking them know my intensions for so doing) and they say they think he was Stated Capt. but do not recollect his name, or place of residence _____ Since I wrote you M. Hoome’s waggons have [undecipherable] this place [undecipherable] times Soaded with [undecipherable] Balls, and I have contrived to have two of them taken out as the waggon was passing, which I now have in my possession. He is very artful in concealing them from the public, his waggon generally go this here of a night, & the Ball covered with Hay or Straw to prevent their being seen __ It can be proved positively [<– I can’t figure out how to underline this] that he has brought them from within fifty yards of the place or House where they were deposited __ He gets his negroes (I am induced to believe) to brake the{?] House & remove as many as is convenient at one time, about 90 or 30 yards each night till they are at a convenient place for the waggons to take them away & they then nail up the planks again till a further quantity is wanted __ Every art is used to get them away undiscovered _ I believe he would have been detected in the Fact (at least his servant) but two men who I employed to watch the place of a night imprudently marked some of the Balls they had just got out of the House - and I have since then not seen his waggons [undecipherable] as usual - From the appearance of what Shot is left I judge he has made use of about two thirds of the quantity first put in the House

I state the above merely that you may Judge the better of the proper mode of prosecution, and shall continue to get usery information I can until you think proper to have it commenced.

[Bottom right corner] I am Sir your m.o Obt Sevt. Seth B. Wigginton

[Botton left corner, beneath the level of the signature] So soon as I can get the amount first left at the place I shall [undecipherable] to ascertain the gty remaining _