[Addressed: Samuel Hodgdon Esq. / Intendant of military Stores / Philadelphia] [Cover notation upper right, undecipherable] [Stamp: Received from State Dep't Nov. 24, 1914 R.F.O. 401810] New york 21^st January 1799— Sir I have received a letter from the Secretary of War, in answer 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 busines[undecipherable] I have answered it, as polite as I could, and preferd 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 busines[s] 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 doe not know my business, nor the expences of my family. Suppose the Secretary of War will advise with you, on the Subject of my Letter — Inclosed you have my acct of expences on Wads Shot and Implements, Shipped for [undecipherable: probable "300"] Dolars, with the necssary 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] [Docket:] Samuel Hodgdon Eq^re Intendant of military Stores Philad^a