[Received from State Dep^t Nov. 24, 804. 401810.] Pittsburgh 2^d May 1800 Dear Sir I have received Your letter of the 25^th Ultimo. The Return of Stores mentioned in my last has not been Completed. I expected other urgent Business & indisposition of my Assistant has [undecipherable] — The Quarter Master Gen^l says that or by late arrangements of the Quarter Mast. Department his Superintendence [is] Limited to the Western Army and his residence being at Pitts[burgh] he is determined to perform a principal part of the Duties that I have hitherto performed, being he says determined to re[duce] Every probable Expence in his Department. I however attrib[ute] attention to other Motives then Economy.— I shall Write to Col^d [undecipherable] to make a transfer of his Powers to You.— I am in hopes the Bbl. of Coffee would have come forward with Cap^t Turner Box & Stationary, that is arriv[ed]. I see Duane intimates that Col^d Pickering is about to retire from Office I hope it is not true. I am Dear Sir your Ob^t [undecipherable] Sam^l Hodgdon Esq^r Philad^o [Address panel: Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r Philadelphia] [Docketing: Major Isaac Craig / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] May 1800]