[Address: Samuel Hodgdon Esqr. / Com. Gen. Mil. Sto. / Philadelphia] [Notation: Jun. 22] [Notation: No. 3] [Docket: Thomas Jones / [undecipherable] 1799] Dear Sir State of Virginia June 9^th Cross Keys Southampton Co 1799 Your very much esteemed favor of the 10^th of April came to hand on the 22 of the same Month, In which there are such statements of friendship expressed that my gratitude for your Welfare will never cease to flow, and with the firmness of a man I venture to say that had you not have taken me under your protection & given me the instruction you did I had this day been a poor Man — My Rib though unknown to you have so often heard me speak of & desires to make her best respects to you & your other [underline: half] with good wishes for your Success in life — Ever since I saw you last I have been down with the Rheumatiz & am now flat on my back, in my next will be more minute, I am with Real Esteem Your Mo. obt. Thomas Jones [Address: S.M. Hodgdon] P.S. The cause of the detention of my letter was occasioned by Mr. Magoffin being detained longer than he expected in Carolina Th. Jones