[Docket notation on cover, written sideways:] [undecipherable] Hodgdon [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Sept[.] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] W. D— Sept. 22^d 1797 I send you two open letters, one for Mr. Hughes & one for Mr. De Costa that you may see what I have written— [strikethrough: That all] persons concerned may have a proper &uniform understanding of what is proposed to be done, I shall communicate this & the enclosures to Mr. Francis's. After perusal, I request that Mr De Costa may receive his letter with proper [strikethrough: instructions] instructions from you, & that the letter for Mr. Hughes may be sent to the Post Office. The prospect of obtaining the six pounders from Mr. Hughes, I consider as very remote.— it will therefore be important to ascertain whether [strikethrough: the] [strikethrough: and the stores, with] the short six pounders mentioned by you, as being on hand, [strikethrough: will answer] can with propriety [strikethrough: be granted] be mounted with the long nine pounders, cast by Mr. Hughes. I should, [strikethrough: upon] it [undecipherable: probable reading "copy"] to obtain satisfaction from Capt. Barry, [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] on this point. Whatever opinion is given ought to be reduced to writing & transmitted to me. If the [strikethrough: six] six pounders, ^{now in store} will answer, the remaining object to be accomplished, is a suitable & uniform appartment of nine pounders— Of the means of effecting which you are the best [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] judge— I wish that Mr. De Costa may have the necessary powers & instructions to enable him to report finally, whether [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] an appartment can in any manner be made— [strikethrough: With] It is indispensible that it be speedily known, whether the Gun can or cannot be obtained. You mention in your letter of the 16^th that you had given directions to Mr. Sheaf to have the letters made for the Frigate— Mr. Francis had an order for the same purposes from me long since— It will be proper that what has been done be mutually understood & to prevent [strikethrough: confusion &] disorder & misunderstanding I recommend that the instructions for completing the Frigate be [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] continued in the usual course.— I am very respectfully Sam. Hodgdon Esq P.S. Mr. Fleming's letter to you is returned