Philad^a Dec^r 26^th 1798 M^r Samuel Hodgdon Sir Being Contractor for Marines and advised by the Officers of that Corps to [strikethrough: send in] a Proposal for the Military Contract for the next year I did so and directed it to M^r Tench Francis Purveyor and carried it to his Office and delivered it to one of his Clerks (and being informed that the Publick had an equal Chance acorden to the Lowness of their Proposal with sufficient security for the performance of the same.) I offered sufficient Security with a Proposal for Fifteen & one half Cents for each compleat Ration as stated by Congress to Commence the 12^th of last August. and Yesterday being at the Navy Office I was informed by M^r William Winder Accountant of the Navy that the Ration for the next year was Contracted for at Sixteen and one half Cents by some one or other. and being directed to you by several Gentlemen to ajust my Right and the Right of the Publick. I have been so bold as to enquire whether my Proposal was shown or not by M^r Frances In hopes of an Answer concerning it and Direction how to proceed in this Business is the Humble Prayer of the Bearer. Your Hb^l S^t Jos. H. Hudson [M^r Samuel Hodgdon Superintendant of Military] [Jos H Hudson Philad^a Dec^r 26. 1798 Inquiry why his Proposal was not given to a]