[Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] [(25-3)] [undecipherable] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Philadelphia [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] 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 stamp paper, wh[ich] pleases to pay and charge as usual. Please to inform Mr Harris that the Trunks & [undecipherable] markers 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 Mr. 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 to forward them as early as possible and charge them to my account and if there is an impropriety in their coming forwards at public Expence the transportation will be paid on delivery. [undecipherable] James Hamilton's Waggoner, Archibald Dunn's Rec^t for thirty dollars, together with Seely Hielings' Receipt for three Trunks, is enclosed. I am, Sir, Your Obed^t servant. [undecipherable: probable reading Isaac Craig] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Philadelphia