Harpers ferry May 5^th 1799 Dear Sir— The Potomac upper level is now marked, and the preliminary Steps for digging already made — We shall have at least one hundred men employed in that business before the close of the present week. Nothing remains to be done, therefore, but to get the money, which I hope you will lend a kind hand to M^r Perkins to pro-cure — he will pay off all your accounts against Me — As we live now in the best harmony, I request that nothing of the [undecipherable] business be mentioned to M^r Perkins it would only revive those disagreeable re-flections, which have been long since buried in oblivion & forgiveness — [strikethrough: undecipherable] for your politeness in remembering to send me the Books and an assurance of my sincere wishes for the happiness of your family. [Be pleased to request the Secretary to take no notice to M^r Perkins of that affair & for that purpose see him immediately —] your very respectful and most Obed Serv^t John MacKey Samuel Hodgdon Esquire [Endorsed on cover: John MacKey / 5^th May 1799 / a D W H —] [Stamp on cover: RECEIVED / Nov. 24 / State De[pt] / From / B.P.O. 40:18] [Address on cover: Samuel Hodgdon Esquire / Superintendent General of Military Stores / Philadelphia]