Sir Pittsburg 20^th October 1797 I have this moment the pleasure of receiving your letter of the [undecipherable] — I am sorry you have been deserted by your Assistants and that the weight of Business lays so heavily on you. I hope the approaching season will restore Health to your City & induce your assistants to return to their posts. Hamilton's Waggoners have arrived this morning, and are, as usual, in need of Money to enable them to return— Supplies for the Army coming to hand at so late a Season are attended with very great disadvantages to the U.S. and particularly the army, so far as it respects Winter Cloathing, as there is not a probability of Stores sent from this place so late in Oct^o reaching Presqu-isle in Season to cross the lake before Winter — I shall notwithstanding push it forward without delay. I am Sir Your very ob. Serv. [undecipherable] Samuel Hodgdon Esq. Philadelphia