[250] Philad^o 15^th October 1798. Sir, Owing to a misunderstanding between the proprietors of the Stages, the [undecipherable] containing Six Pattern [undecipherable: Charlesville] Muds, which I thought by my agreement were with you, did not leave this City until this Morning — this expensive mode was imposed, their being no other conveyance either by land or Water — I trust they will be with you to morrow, but fearing [undecipherable] has taken place here that they may be farther detained on the road, I give you this information of their departure — I have paid the transportation to Baltimore — I am Sir Your most Obed. Ser. Samuel Hodgson [John Hilley Esq^r] Sir Philad^o 15^th October 1798 Your two letters under dates of the 23 ultimo and 7 instant came early to hand — Some of the tools from New London are not already arrived they will be with you shortly — But why are those purchased of you by the Public not on the spot I concluded that as soon as purchased they would be forwarded, and having that you had sold I concluded you had undertaken to get them to your present Post — If that is not the case and [undecipherable] information who would deliver them [undecipherable] endeavour to get them forwarded with the stationary — under present circum-stances it is very difficult to get any thing to you short of a whole load — I think from present appearances you may safely come to the City in ten days — and I think it more than probable I shall not be able to find [undecipherable] unless on very extravagant terms in [undecipherable] — with your affairs what I have to forward may go in reasonable terms — The workmen are generally gone from the City — M^r Cormick has left most of his men, and is I am informed doing little or nothing — I mention this to point out the propriety of you engaging any hands that you know to be good that may offer at your Post, tho' you may not be completely ready to set the [undecipherable] to work — every thing must have a beginning and any extensive work is always for a while [undecipherable] — I am glad there is a cordial understanding relative to the purchase of the [undecipherable] —