[Samuel Hodgdon Esquire / Philadelphia] [Received from State Dep. Nov. 24, 1891, R.P.O. 401310.] [336] [Docket notation, partially legible: Isaac Craig / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] Pittsburg 7^th Sept 1798 Sir I have received your letter of the 31 Ultimo with their several Enclosures — With respect to the Ship Carpenters I presume my letter of the 3^d of last month advised you that all Except five had been dismissed & paid off, the five still here viz Jacob Death Henry Miller John Lofberry Duncan Campbell & W^m Turner are retained to Assist M^r James Owner the Superintendant to Launch the Galley Senator Ross which is detained on the Ways by the want of water in the Allegheny to float her in the mean time these men are Employed in Building a Boat intended for transportation of Stores from this Post to Franklin & LeBoeuf and which will shortly be finished & I hope the Galley Launched & the whole Dismissed of which You shall have Early Notice previous to which there can be no impropriety in making the Usual Advance to the Carpenter Families — I have this day Rec^d of Gen^l Jⁿ Neville two thousand Dollars and for which Amount I have this day Drawn on You in his favour Payable at ten days Sight, and I have also found it Necessary to Draw on You this day in favour of John Wrenshall at ten days for five hundred Dollars. these Drafts be pleased to Pay & charge to Quarter M^r Gen^l as Usual — I hope You may not have occasion to repent your determination of Continuing in the City, it appears to me that Prudence would dictate that at least your Families ought to retire to the Country & Yourself to make only the necessary Visits to the City — I am with great Respect Sir Your Sam^l Hodgdon Esq^r Obedient Servant Philad^o Israel Craig