[Cover page: Addressed to Colonel Samuel Hodgdon / War Dep^ts Office / " Philadelphia. Stamp: "Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. R.P.O. 401810." Docket at upper right partially illegible. Postal notation: paid 3] Pittsburgh January 25^th, 1799. On the 1^st December 1796, The United States appeared indebted to James Caldwell, late Assistant Commissary, [undecipherable] dollars and 23 Cents; a suite instituted [in a moment of discontent] against the Commissary General, [prevented a consolidation] of this Claim at the general settlements made in your Office; — The errors of that transaction have since been corrected, — The costs paid; — The action abated, his papers submitted for adjustments by his principals, [those] endorsed thereon we received of the sum due; — We understood made to be consonant to your wishes, — but your letter addressed to M^r Caldwell, of the 26^th September 1798, [as copy] which is annexed, proves we were mistaken, and his application improper: — Colonel Kirkpatrick, [at present] shews no disposition to advance his Private monies for public purposes, and make themselves Responsible as Drawers, for Requisitions on the [undecipherable]; — a fruitless expensive Journey [undecipherable] have made this young man despond [undecipherable] — they are not deposited with me; — May I trouble you, in a Cause not my own, by asking if these difficulties can be obviated with any [undecipherable] of mine, — by forming the Receipts according to any suggestion and [resting] only for Payments on your friendly Aid, advice on this subject will be cheerfully attended, and with the favors gratefully remembered. A younger Brother (more here) will depart for [undecipherable], March for Orleans, in a strong Bowle, should ye^r Government have any Commands, — arrangements shall be made for their faithful execution, — By him who is with sentiments of esteem your Obliged hum^bl Ser^t. Edwards Day [seal] Col: Samuel Hodgdon. [Enclosure] Philadelphia 20. September^th 1798. I have received your letter of the 22 Instant, I have nothing to do with such certificates as you mention, — your must receive Payments through your employer who must make his Requisitions to the Treasurer of the United States to be furnished with means to meet his engagements. I am your mo^st Ob^t Ser^t. (signed) Samuel Hodgdon [seal]