Dear Sir Philad^o October 26^th 1798 I have received your Letter of the 19^th Inst: we all remain well, and next week I expect we shall once more get to Business, I expect two of my Clerks in on Monday next — A great many of our Citizens have returned and several have paid dear for the haste — the Disease is indeed much abated but is yet too prevalent — I have no letter from the Quarter Master General, perhaps he has enclosed to the Secretary of War, if so I shall receive it to morrow — Our Election has ended well the other parts of the state appear to possess the old Spirit, can only say I am sorry — but consolation arises from a General Survey of the late Election. the federal interest will be strong in the next Congress — North Carolina and Virginia are much mended — All will yet go right — America's Guardian sits at the helm, and will securely bring the Bark to her destined post — adieu you very Sincerely Samuel Hodgdon Major Isaac Craig Philadelphia 29^th October 1798. Sir, The Secretary of War is very uneasy on account of the detention of the Clothing ordered to the Northern Posts, the season will prevent their getting to hand unless immediately forwarded, and this cannot be done until we receive a Supply of Vests, Woollen Overalls and Shirts — Do send in immediately all of those Articles you can collect — if but a hundred of each they will be of use — send however all you have without a moments delay — if you have [underline: coloured] Overalls on hand send them also — if you come to the City call on me, I want to speak to you on another business! I mean the dimensions given M^r Beatties to make the Flannel Cartridges by — in my Opinion [underline: much of the stuff is wanted] — I am Sir Your most Obed^t Servant Samuel Hodgdon M^r Thomas Billington Philadelphia 30^th October 1798. Sir, I have received your letter of the 28 instant. I am made unhappy by the detention of that important Box of Pattern Muskets — for aught I know one hundred People may be idle untill they arrive — It's strange that the proprietors cannot tell what has become of it, the letter I enclosed to you Shews that it was forwarded from Burlington, and of course it ought to be found at the end of the route — I will write again to M^r Austin & I pray you to call once more on the person usually receiving the Stores sent by that conveyance that if possible they may be found, unless they get to hand immediately I Shall be obliged to send Some person in quest of them, in, which case the expense as well as the damage will be charged to the neglected concern — M^r Kimble may probably be found by enquiring of Scott & Seaman — if not please to request them to receive and forward M^r Phillips's letters — Please to inform me if the Pattern Sword to your address by the Law Stage gets to hand Safely — a letter is with it — Perhaps you will be troubled to look for it also — I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon o M^r Melaneton Smith