Philadelphia 28^th December 1798 Sir, I have received your letter of the 21^st Instant— thank you for the information relative to Governor Sargents business it will be unfortunate indeed if by the weather he should again loose his property he has suffered more loss by transportation than any person I have forwarded goods for— No promulgation yet of the doings of the great Council— the Secretary of the Navy with the Secretary of State, the Quarter Master Gen^l and a few other friends dine with me to morrow— tis possible some information may then be obtained on the Subject of your enquiry should that be the case I will communicate it— The Secretary of the Navy mentioned to me yesterday confidentially, that he should report for raising funds to support our present Naval Armament and