[Cover endorsement: Colo. [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] / 18 [undecipherable] 1799 / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] [Address: Sam^d. Hodgdon / Philad^a] [in to send] [Post] Nashville Feb 14^th 1799 [55] I have taken the liberty of enclosing a letter directed to M^r Shaffe, when I wish thank you to send him, with directions to pick up some Stone for my use, which I wish thank you to have [sent?] forward by [undecipherable] wagon. [That] is now on its way to Philad^a. I have written to M^r George to have them in Readings, to forward, as I am in great need of them — I would also be glad to know, my good friend, if you have received any money on my account from M^r Sample, as I am very uneasy lest you should [be?] out of what you were pleased to advance for my lands — I observe by the public [papers?] that the Executive has appointed commissioners to hold a Treaty with the Cherokee Indians. I am glad of it, as the commissioners will have an opportunity to examine and make report of the lands which the United States may claim, which I inform you from every [undecipherable] I have had on the subject since I came in to Tennessee would induce me to suppose are not worth contending for, as all the valuable lands have been covered with warrants previous to the Session of North Carolina — You can have no Idea how matters have been conducted in this quarter. I have had my share of trouble to manage the people who have been invading the Indian lands, and have [undecipherable] beyond reputation a certain Judge Campbell has given me a great deal of trouble, and has been liberal in his abuse but he is not worth notice, our old friend Col. Henley has been taken before two magistrates and bound in a thousand dollars to appear at march Court, because a counterfeit dollar was in a purse which he paid out, the Col. Arnold (as my self) is no favourite, but [undecipherable], and Honesty avow them, virtues that are not generally inherited in this quarter — Pray my good friend send a line from you frequently with the news of the City; I am much afraid our commissioners in future will not be successful in their mission. I for got to mention to Col. Henley the want of Stuff, to make two flags, I would thank you to send some on to him for that purpose — I am D^r Sir your friend and Hum^bl. Serv^t. T.S. Butler [undecipherable] in Tennessee Col^o. Sam^l. Hodgdon Philad^a P.S. I have left the letter to M^r Shaffe open, that you may see the invoice, after peruse please put a Seale to it and send to M^r Shaffe J. Butler