[Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] [endorsement: Pittsburg 13^th July 98 — [undecipherable]] [addressed:] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Philadelphia Pittsburg July 13^th 1798 Sir, Your letter of the 6^th instant, accompanied by one to the Quarter Master General and others to the Ship Carpenters together with the News Papers are received. The Ship Carpenters letters not going always under cover to you was owing to their handing them into the Office after my letters to you were closed. Since last post, Viz on the 9^th, I found it necessary to draw on you in favor of Morruan & Vertner for two thousand dollars at fifteen days sight in two drafts of One thousand dollars each; on stampt paper, which he pleases to pay and charge as usual. Please to inform Mr Harris that the Trunks &ca markes Samuel Blackden addressed to me by Mr Harris are in my possession and will continue till I am reimbursed the cash paid for their transportation. The Quarter Master General is preparing to proceed to Head Quarters in a few days. He has offered an appointment of Assistant Quarter Master for the post of Natchez to M. Bates, a young Man, who has assisted me a considerable time. On his leaving me, which I expect will be same time next Month, I shall want one to succeed him and therefore have to request you to make Enquiry for a person properly qualified & whom you can recommend — Thirty dollars per Month and Subsistence two rations per day — will be his compensation. Mr Bates in order to fit himself for descending to Natchez requests me to beg of you to procure a few Necessaries for him agreeably to the enclosed list. Be pleased to forward them as early as possible and charge them to my account and if there is an impropriety in their coming forward at public Expence the transportation will be paid on delivery. James Hamilton's Waggoner, Archibald Dunn's Receipt for thirty dollars, together with Seely Hulings' Receipt for three Trunks, is enclosed. I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant [signature] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Philadelphia --- [Enclosure 1] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] To be purchased in Philadelphia and forwarded to Pittsburg directed "Bates, Natchez" About — 50 lbs brown Sugar 50 lbs Coffee 30 lbs Loaf Sugar 2 lbs good Tea 1 double case with bottles Glasses &ca Complete suppose 24. dollars Pittsburg July 13. 1798 [signature] --- [Enclosure 2] Pittsburg July 11. 1798 Received of Isaac Craig D. Q. M. G. to be delivered to Col: Hodgdon in Philadelphia. One Trunk for "Cap. Vance" and one Trunk for "Captain Rufsele Bifsele": and one Box "Lieut: Massey": the last Mr. Massey hopes Col: Hodgdon will forward to Kent County Eastern Shore Maryland. Seely Huling