Sir, Philadelphia 3^d. May, 1798 As soon as possible after you receive this letter, you will send to New York to the address of Melancton Smith Esquire [interlined: six sixpounders] & eight inch Howitzers, and 2, three pounder brass Ordnance with their Carriages and implements complete. Send by the same conveyance, 4000 one pound Ball, 2000, Eighteen pounder ditto, 400, twenty four pounder ditto. 2000 five and an half inch Shells that have been proven, and that are now known to be good. 1000. Eight inch ditto. You may stipulate for the freight to be paid by Mr. Smith, to whom I shall write on the subject. I shall rest assured that your knowledge of Artillery service will compleat the pieces with every requisite for action as far as relates to their equipment. Lose no time in making the transport and inform me when they go forward and whatever relates to their [undecipherable] I am Sir Your most Ob't Servant. Cap^t [undecipherable], Samuel Hodgdon