[Cover/address leaf] [[undecipherable] 23 Jany 99 —] [Received State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. R.P.O. 401810.] Colonel Samuel Hodgdon War Office Philadelphia [paid 3] Pittsburgh January 25, 1799. On the 1 December 1796, The United States appeared indebted to James Caldwell, late Assistant Commissary [undecipherable] dollars and 23 Cents; & suits instituted (in a moment of discontent) against the Commissary General, prevented a consolidation of this Claim at the general settlements made in your Office; — The errors of that transaction have since been corrected, — The costs paid; — The action abated, his papers submitted for adjustment by his principals, [those?] endorsed thereon we received of the sum due; — We understood the mode to be consonant to your wishes, — but your letter addressed to M^r Caldwell, of the 25^th September 1798, (a copy which is annexed) proves we were mistaken, and his application improper: — Jonah Kirkpatrick, (at Present) shews no disposition to advance his private monies for public purposes, nor make himself Responsible as Drawer, for Requisitions on the [undecipherable]; — A fruitless expensive Journey [undecipherable] has made this young man despond — [undecipherable] They are not deposited with me; — May [I be excused] in troubling you, in a [underline: Cause] not my own, by asking if these difficulties can be obviated with any [undecipherable] of mine, — by forming the Receipts according to any suggestion and [undecipherable] only for Payments on your friendly Aid; advice on this subject will be cheerfully attended, and with other favors gratefully remembered. A younger Brother (now here) will depart [undecipherable] March for Orleans, in a strong Bowle, should you at Government have any Commands, — arrangements shall be made for their faithful execution, — By him who is with sentiments of esteem your Obliged hum^ble Ser^t. Edwards Day [signature] [Addressed:] Col. Samuel Hodgdon.