Philadelphia 20^th August 1798 Sir, I received your letter of the 18^th inst: covering an Order for Clothing to be sent to Lieu^t Saonard at Vermont, I will do what I can to comply with the order although particularly circumstanced. Wasp is extremely ill & M^r Hopes has notified me he is going to quit the City. M^r Mackey is going to the Country for a few days untill he receives his instructions to go to the Potowmac. Two of my Clerks have got frightened & leave me tomorrow. I will however do all I can to keep the Public business going on. Major Burrows has handed me the enclosed Petition, what is to be done with it, V. We have only 19332 Musket Cartridges in the Magazine & none providing, what is to be done & The Secretary of the Navy must make the provision, under circumstances we cannot. Please but a moment the Post is going therefore must conclude. P.S. enclosed is the two papers on which order will be taken as they respect the first acts of the Potowmac business I am Sir your m^st ob^t Servant, Samuel Hodgdon Secretary of War.