Dear Sir Philadelphia Nov^r 3^d 1798 The Generals Washington, Hamilton and Pinckney are here making with the assistance of the Secretaries an arrangement for bringing into effect the contemplated Army — if you have any particular claims to prefer I think you ought to be here as early as possible — for it is not expected General Washington will remain an hour longer than is necessary to compleat this business for which his information and station peculiarly fit and intitle him — I have no doubt deserving Officers absent in service will be properly [strikethrough: noticed] — yet I think it best they should urge their pretensions personally — In haste adieu — If I can serve you, command me — Your very sincerely Cap^t Solomon Van Rensselaer — Samuel Hodgdon