Philadelphia 17 January 1800 Sir — This moment your favour of the 10^th handed me — M^r Miller informed me yesterday, he did not expect the Quarter Master General for some time — perhaps he may have better information by this date — The Secretary of War has made a liberal requisition for the Pay of those engaged in the Quarter Masters Department which if passed in Congress with the appropriation which if [strikethrough: passed] comes before them will cure the difficulties hitherto experienced in that Department — in round numbers eight hundred thousand dollars is called for to meet the calls expected in the current year Tho' clouds obscure our political horizon in the beginning of the year, the under Hope will be a bright day — the Coffee shall come forward soon — I enclose the Returns — the Troops will from time Your Most Obedient servant Samuel Hodgdon M^r Isaac Craig —