Philadelphia 24^th Oct^r 1798 Sir I was favoured with yours of the 23^d instant — I feel myself very much indebted to you for the promptness with which you have executed a number of Small yet important Commissions — I wrote up immediately to Burlington to enquire about the Chest of Arms, he has used me very ill, and I shall remember it in better times — I now enclose a letter to accompany a Pattern Sword its to go sent with all convenient Speed to Hartford to the address of Greenleaf & Black Be pleased to receive it and forward it to its address — I hope I shall have it in my power to give you better business in a Short time — I am Sir Your most Obed^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon M^r Melancton Smith Philad^a 26^th October 1798 Sir Be anxious to know what has become of the Pattern Muskets forwarded to your address to get on to Providence — Got a friend to call at Burlington to know if the were gone from thence the enclosed letter are on that subject as Soon as you receive them be pleased to make the enquiry as therein listed, and if the Box is found examine it to know if the Muskets are in Perfect order & send it forward with all possible Dispatch —— Let me hear from you on the subject I shall write to Providence to day to advise them what I at present am informed and to direct them when and the way they may expect to receive them — I am Sir your m^ost Obed^t Servant Samuel Hodgdon M^r Melancton Smith