[Cover: Samuel Hodgdon Esq^re / [undecipherable] fins. [undecipherable] fees / Intend of military [Stores] Philadelphia] [Archival notation, top right: [undecipherable] / No [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / 99] [Stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. R.P.O. 401810.] New york 21^st January 1799— Sir I have received a letter from the Secretary of War, in answ[er] to mine on the subject of compensation for my services, he writes, and speaks handsomely to me, of two or three methods, either by a salary, or a commission per Centum on my disbursements, and wished me to give him my own Ideas on the [undecipherable]— I have answered it, as polite as I could, and preferred a Commission, that is. for buying, and superintending all matters in the line of military matters. which I wrote him ought to be in my idea five P^r Cent — that you may [undecipherable] of the business, with propriety, inclosed you have an [undecipherable] from my Letter, to him of the 15^th Inst. General Hamilton advises me to have a salary. He does not know my business, nor the expenses of my family. Suppose the Secretary of War will advise with you, on the Subject of my Letter. — Inclosed you have my acc^t of expenses on Wadds Shot and Implements, Shipped for [undecipherable] Jolaine, with the necessary Vouchers, and for which please to forward me a remittance. I am with sentiments of esteem Dear Sir Your most obed^t Serv^t. [Signature: undecipherable] Samuel Hodgdon Esq^re Intendant of Military Stores Philad^a. --- Extract from my Letter of the 15^th Inst. to the Secretary of War — On the Subject of Compensation for my own services, I can only say — With respect to a Salary — I conceive, that what Government would consent, to allow for my services, would not be sufficient, for the maintenance of my family — and I am utterly at a loss, to name a Stipend that might be [undecipherable] and at the same time, an adequate Compensation — if my whole time and attention must be [underline: devoted] to this object — With respect to a Commission — If my agency consisted of Purchases only, a Commission thereon of Two and Onehalf per Centum would be sufficient: and if the amount was considerable, perhaps less would be an equivalent for my trouble: But to attend to, and transact what I have done, every day since my appointment, my Commission ought to be [underline: Five P^r Centum] — the Purchasing, being the least part of the duties of my agency, which has taken the whole of my time and superintendance; so much, that I have been obliged to [undecipherable] the management of my Commercial business, almost wholly to my [undecipherable] — It is a fact, which cannot escape my observation, that if the Agent for the Navy Department in this City, received only One &ahalf per Centum on his Purchases, it would amount to more than a Commission of Five P^r Centum on the Sum of my disbursements — and, I presume, you will see, that the Degree of trouble and atten[tion] is in no respect similar, or in proportion — My Commercial business must naturally suffer, if my Public [undecipherable] takes up my time entirely — It has been worth to me at least [undecipherable] to Eight Thousand Dollars P^r Year, and if I had only to make purchases for Government, I need not be deranged, but operate simply, as an extensive Commission business — But if my Public Agency is of a Nature, to require my absence from the Seat of my own immediate Concerns, almost constantly, it involves much consideration, and, I candidly declare myself incompetent, to add further on the Subject — I prefer submitting these Premises, to your own reflection, and Judgment, and have no doubt, but you will name a Compensation to my satisfaction !