[Col. Samuel Hodgdon Phila] [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 1894. R.P.O. 401810.] Belle Canton august 8^th. 1798 — Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter dated the 11^th ulto, enclosing M^r Hoffer's receipt — — My worthy friend, I rejoice with you, and all the virtuous part of America, at the appointment of his excellency George Washington to command once more the armies of the United States, and I trust that the god of our fathers, will point him out the way to preserve our independence, as he did the way to gain it — pray let me hear frequently from you, as it will always give me great pleasure — I am D^r Sir yours most sincerely [undecipherable: H. S. Butler H—] in [undecipherable] Col. Sam^l Hodgdon Philad^a