Either I Cannot Read or I Cannot Write, Etc.

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[Captain Staats Morris / 16 Oct. 1799 — / [undecipherable] / enclosing certified / copies of [undecipherable] / the [undecipherable] Dragoons] [349] Col. Sam. Hodgdon Philadelphia [postal mark: BALT / 15] Fort M'Henry 16 October 1799 Sir Your letter of the 11 Inst. I have received. If the assertion of your Store Keeper "that the last is a perfect duplicate of the former invoice sent to me" be just, one of two things must be a natural consequence, [undecipherable] or that I can not write the truth, but to show that I can do both, I do myself the pleasure of enclosing certified copies of the two invoices, which you may compare, and satisfy yourself of the difference. But Sir, since the invoice has been made to meet the exact quantity of clothing received by me, and there has been no loss to the public, I [undecipherable] it is not a matter of much moment. You will observe by the Invoice, that two of the most essential articles have not come, viz: the Coats and vests, which perhaps is because they contemplate sending the materials in their Stead. I would prefer that should be the case having Taylors sufficient in the Company to make them up. It is necessary however that I should have one, or the other soon. — I am Sir your most Obed.^t Serv.^t Staats Morris Capt. Commd.^g Col. Hodgdon.

Type

Autograph Letter Signed

Description

Morris observes that if the storekeeper is correct respecting the accuracy of the duplicate invoice, then either Morris cannot read or he cannot write and the truth is that he can do both. But since the invoice reflects the exact quantity of clothing received, it is not a matter of much moment. The coats and vests have not come perhaps because the materials may be sent in their stead. That would be satisfactory since there are enough tailors in the Company to make the coats and vests.