[Received From State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. R.F.O. 401310.] [Address:] Sam'l Hodgdon Esq^r Superintendent of Stores Philadelphia [Docket:] Capt. Joseph Williams 3^d Jan'y 1800 [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 2, 1894. R.P.O. 401310.] Springfield 3^d Jan'y 1800 Sir, Your letters of the 23 & 29. ultimo together with seven hundred dollars in [undecipherable] are duly received— I have received a communication from the Secretary of War relative to the boat business— wherein he declines a full decision— but from the tenor of his letter I am induced to believe that some false suggestions have been made from a Quarter that I have not expected which has had a tendency to create a belief in his mind, that my whole conduct respecting the boat was actuated by personal considerations rather then to a regard for the public Interest. I however derive some consolation from the flattering hope that at some future period my concern in the affair will be stripped of all false [undecipherable] & appear as it really has been— for I can be bold to declare that not only in this transaction but in every other of a public nature I have ever made a sacrifice of my own Individual feelings to matters of greater moment— I am Sir Most Respectfully Your ob't Servant Joseph Williams Sam'l Hodgdon Esq^r