[Docket notation, upper left, rotated:] [undecipherable] — [9]9 — / [undecipherable] Mackey / [undecipherable] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire [undecipherable: Superintendent?] General of Military Stores 1 Philadelphia Harpers ferry July 17^th 1799 Dear Sir Herewith you will receive an Order on your favor, on the Secretary of War for $212.32 which money you will be pleased to hold in lieu of advances made to John [undecipherable: Suttendie?]'s wife. I know no other person here who has a family at Philadelphia and am at a loss to imagine who there are, who will receive money of you on account of services performed at this place— Be pleased to forward me a Statement of your advances within the present year. We have not been able to muster more than 50 labourers on an average since the Canal was commenced. We use every means in our power to allure them to but such is the habitual Laziness of the poor of this country that nothing but absolute want can drive them from home. Nevertheless about ⅓ of the Canal is dug, and should we be able to collect & retain 100 for three months, there is little reason to fear for the completion of this [undecipherable] this year— Whatever be the issue, if the work be not all done, neither will all the money be expended— [undecipherable] to inform me of the payment of the Order Yours respectfully John Mackey Samuel Hodgdon Esquire