[Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Philadelphia] [Docketing notation, lower right:] [undecipherable] 21 Decemb 1798 Pittsburg 21.^st December 1798. Dear Sir, Your letter of the 11^th Instant is this Moment come to hand, I am sorry the Result of the Great Council has not transpired. I am anxious to know whether the Attention of Government will be most pointed to the Navy or to the army of the United States. On the 8^th Inst. Col^o Sarg[undecipherable] were shipped on board a Boat, together with [undecipherable] Quarter Master Stores destined for Natchez, and in charge of W^m M^cGuire Esquire. first Judge of the Mississippi Government — A List of the Articles then [undecipherable] for the Col^o. (Judge Tilton having taken charge of sundry Articles for the Governor) you will find enclosed — The Boat left this place with favourable Water, but a sudden change of Weather to severe cold has I am apprehensive impeded or perhaps stopt the Boat. And I am of Opinion that Boat &Cargo may be in danger All the Cloathing on hand was shipped together with a Quantity of [undecipherable] Stores. And the Boat was to have followed the one beforementioned, had not the sudden change of Weather prevented it and rendered it necessary to unload the Boat — The River is now shut up and a probability of it's continuing so — I am Dear Sir, your most Obed. Serv^t [undecipherable: probable reading Jno Craig] [Address:] Samuel Hodgdon Esq. Philad^a