New York 15^th May 1799 Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r. Dear Sir Inclosed is a line from M^r. [undecipherable]nders to the Collector of your Port, which I leave open for your perusal, you will please seal it and deliver him — The purport of which is to obtain a Copy of the Register of the Ship Nancy Cap^t. Burtons [Master] — M^r. S. has agreed to give me a Bill of Sale, of said Vessel, and his being mislaid cannot make one out till he has a Copy of the Register, — Permit me to enjoin [undecipherable: probable reading secrecy] in respect to his having failed, and Solicit your immediate attention to this business, and forward me it, by the Mail, — I hope you & your Lady had a pleasant Journey home, and the pleasure of finding all your friends well — And remain with my best Resp^t to M^rs. H & Family, in which M^rs. S. Unites — Dear Sir Your m^ost Hble Serv^t. [undecipherable signature] Please settle the fee, and charge it my account [Address leaf: Samuel Hodgdon / Philadelphia; postal stamp: MAY 18; notation in circle: 10; archival notation: Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24. 18[?]. R.P.O.401310; docket: Comptrollers 1799 No. 20]