[Endorsement: Jan. C. Kirt's one / Respecting Dry Hoopers] [Two circular postal seals/stamps] to Jeremiah Comby Quartermaster's Office [undecipherable] [Notation: h.h. or / [undecipherable] / Jn'y [undecipherable]] Dear Sir— Philadelphia 11^th August 1800 We have now a new call for your assistance— Captain Merchant on whose Baratory upon one a Referee has arrived at Alexandria under such suspicious circumstances as to warrant his confinement with all his Crew. The enclosed will shew the amount he gives of himself— pass all doubt this property is the proceeds of his unaccounted Cargo— Can not you as Agent hereby authorized proceed to Alexandria and claim this property as my Sons until he arrives, which will be with all possible Dispatch— Whatever is necessary to legalize your Agency shall be given— Let me hear from you as early as possible [cut from a proper of this date] yours very sincerely M^r Jeremiah Comby— Samuel Hodgdon