Pittsburg 18 April 1800 Sir, I have received your favors of the 4 &11 instant the former accompanied by the Armourers accounts returned — the latter covering a letter addressed to Captain Forner, which is delivered to him — The post that brought your letter of the 11^th did not arrive until late on Saturday & set off again immediately, in order to regain lost time — this accounts for your letters not answered — The Abstracts for the latter part of the year 98 are nearly compleated & should have gone by this post, had not a late General order turned our attention to other business — The Quarter M^r General has proposed a very material change in his department, which as soon as I am perfectly acquainted with I shall communicate to you more fully — I have however reason to suspect, that the 2^d Gen^l has it in contemplation to transact the business of this post himself [strikethrough: by his own] Creatures & thereby render my services unnecessary or if continued on such conditions as to be rendered so disagreeable, indeed degrading to continue in Office — I shall be able to give you a full account of this business by next post — Col^o Forest has wrote me that he wishes me to place my public Stock in some other hands as he is about to travel for the recovery of his health. If you please I shall therefore send you a power of attorney for that purpose — I am. Sir, Your obedient servant H Sam^l Hodgdon Esq^r [Philadelphia]