[398] Philadelphia 9 March 1799 Sir I have received your letter. your baggage was forwarded on the 6^th instant in a waggon belonging to & drove by Andrew Mars. I am glad to find the Horse answers as I expected — nothing would have been answerable Should he have turned out otherwise than good I am Sir Your Most Obed^t Serv^t Samuel Hodgdon Col^o John McKee Pittsburgh Philadelphia 17^th March 1799 Sir, I have mentioned to the Secretary of War what you hinted to me relative to the debt due from your firm to the United States — He desires me to inform you that what you suggestion relative to the Trace of Land on which the Powder Mill and Stores are erected Strikes him agreeably. If the public can have the Tract with its improvements at a fair valuation, the Secretary has no hesitation in saying he will agree to the purchase; the nature of the debt is such that on account of your concern I anxiously wish it may be satisfied without further publicity — Let me hear from you immediately, and fully and candidly state what you meant me to understand When you spoke to me on the subject — I am Sir, your most obedient servant Samuel Hodgdon — Israel Wheelen, Esq^r.