[marginalia: Nob / 65] L D— Decem: 2^d 1797. Sir The power of attorney from M: Wilkins ^Esq to Samuel Hodgdon, is [strikethrough: now] dated April 1^st 1797 is not retrospective, and is informal — this you will see by the annexed Copy — The Comptroller of the Treasury has at my request urged M^r Hodgdon to [strikethrough: for] [strikethrough: procure] a power which will not only [strikethrough: authorize] [strikethrough: future] future, advance but sanction what has been done — I think the delay on the part of M^r Hodgdon has been unneccessary & I request you to interpose so as effectually to correct it — The urgency of the service induces me to advance the sum requested by your letter of Dec: 2^d — although your & my responsibility is concerned in having the depot [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] supplied as soon as possible — I am with great respect— [Ja's McHenry by Secretary of War [signature]]