[Docket notation, wrapper, top right]: Capt John [undecipherable] / of July 1800 / W. Do S[undecipherable] [Stamp, wrapper]: Received / from / State Dep[t] / Nov. 21. [undecipherable] / R.P.O. 401810 [Address, wrapper]: [undecipherable] Majr. [undecipherable] Hodgdon / [undecipherable] U. S. Brig Sophia July 20. 1800 Sir— [Stamp, left margin]: Received / from / State Dep[t] / Nov. 21. 20[?] / R.P.O. 401810 Yours of 18^th Inst came to hand last evening, I hartly thank you for the trouble you have takeing to get us past provisions. Shuch we [undecipherable] gratifuly you infome, of ship loading for Algiers Sugar Peper I Respet that articles may answer very well to dispose of to the Jews, in Lue of Cash to pay them the greate sum we are in dept to them throus. But What will the Dey & ministery of Algiers say When they finde thn cargo consists in no other articles thin merchandice — What says, a small brig to satisfie me a Large frigate to pay the Jews — Iah Sandfa Juda the explanation of is you dogs with [undecipherable] soul dueing my Stay in algiers he sent for the droagerman and orderd him to come to the consul and my self, and ask where was the doctor and Watchmaker that he liqu ited from america on being informd thr was no one Came. he again, that our cun try thought of him or did they think to play with him. one of the greatest Kings upon earth, ageable to your request. Sir thue are many articles wrote for no dought but would pleas the dey & Regency of Algiers mult more, thin to so large a ship entirely with merchandize for the Jews. though at the same time its nesary to forward some part to satisfie those Jews as thue can be nothing don without them as long as we remain in dept both them and the Regency. by that means our tribute is Increas'd anualy about two fifths. not having funds and no one to get any from but those people before mentioned. do not think I wish to dictate by any means. this is only what has come under my Eye — for Instance the dutch Consuls yearly prsion became due. and he very much in aneus both to the Jews and Regency. he sent to Leghown for his presents. they came, at customary tome they were presented and Refused all this came through the Jews because they came not from them. In consiquence of which the dey in Lue of his presents demanded 6000 sequins Equal to 12000 dollars. this was Refused. the Result of which I know not. he Likewise have the Spanish Consul in Chanes 40 days, and made [undecipherable] two Strokes at the Sweeds Consul with Sabre in his palace in pect no one escape him more or less, but to Return to articles wrote for from Algiers by those dispatches Chiefly Consists in timber for Ship building & Sundry other art[undecipherable] [undecipherable section] -es that must acompany this timber by the way of greasing the ways thats to make it turn out the antaguity to the U. States by which meens its done as I have before Mentioned— thue are as many articles & timbers commpiled for from the [undecipherable] as will load two Ships of 600 tons — I think it may be permited that a small [undecipherable], the Jews with letters from the provyer to them and fare words and promys of another amediatly and aleging the detention to the Chains of affairs. for you must use a greate deale of deception to the Jews but to the Consul thue sounding or the the good ship Congres may be Run aground though over so good a pilot. It is my candid opinion if one ship goes out for the Jews, thue ought to be one acompany him for the Regency [undecipherable] I have wrote to the Secretary of State and require my Letters to be sent to your care Remain Sir your Hum^ble Serv^t— Jn Smith Major Hodgdon Esq