[Docket notation, outer fold, upper right, written diagonally:] Jacob Wagner partly $600 [undecipherable] my draft [Address side, written vertically:] Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r Philadelphia Washington, 5 July 1800 Dear Sir M^r Simons did not hand me your favor of the 23^d ult. until the 3^d— Yesterday being an holiday, I could not present the draft it enclosed until this day; and I have received for it, a warrant on M^r Meredith. The Secretary of the Navy desires me to retain it two or three days, until he ascertains whether existing arrangements admit of its being paid at Philadelphia or here. If it should happen (what I hope will not) that the uncertainty continues to long, I should thank you for information whether M^r Meredith will pay it at Philadelphia. In the mean time I shall use every means of ascertaining where it will be paid. Col^o Pickering deserves much praise for the speed with which such extensive and intricate accounts, as his were, have been rendered. It is a pity that Dayton's detention of public money should have been presented to the sovereign people at a time when a groundless charge was made against Col^o Pickering. But Duane says "that M^r Wolcott has stepped forward in Col^o Pickering's behalf," and that Dayton has no right to associate in the Col^o's defence. This is going a great way, considering the quarter from which it comes. We have nothing new here. What with the removal of the offices and the dismission of the officers and the President's journey, we do not yet seem to be in our places. I am, Sir, with great esteem and regard your most obed. serv^t. Jacob Wagner P.S. Upon second thoughts, I Suppose it best to enclose the warrant [Address:] Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r Philadelphia