double Letter Colonel Samuel Hodgdon Intendant of Stores Philadelphia

Jeremiah Condy Esq. 16th August 1800 Recd 22d

a Letter to the Atty G. of U.S. Mc Lees is of Consequence Alexandria August the 16th 1800 Dear Sir I afforded myself the pleasure of addressing you from Georgetown my place of Residence on Thursday evening in reply to your Letter of the 11th Instant as my mother in Law befame that evening more afflicted with her complaint than She had been during the day I was fearfull of the Consequences and that I might not from the distress of the family be able to roceed the next day to this place as I intended I therefore that very night sent off my Servant on foot with a letter to James Alexander Esquire the Mayor of this City stating to him such facts as I thought would produce the effect you desired. On the next day my mother contined ill and I could not then come here myself, I received hower an answer to my letter on that day which I enclose you. This morning I came here myself and found Out the Captain had been admitted to bail by one of the Magistrates of the Town and that a Captain of a Vessell who is here and who is a relative of Capt. Merchants was his bail. and that last night he had taken advantage of the dark and made his escape whether his has been guilty of any acts of Piracy or not is extremely doubtfull_ I rather think he has not, but that his intention was so to do. The Mayor of this place has been gone in pursuit of him and I have not since I came here nor shall I before I return have an Opportunity of seeing him. I called however at the Collectors office and explained matters in such a manner that the Vessel and Cargo will remain untill your Son arrives and as I am convinced they will get the Catain again for he cannot make off with himself I expect he will also find him here_ he will no more be admitted to cail_ Your Son will find no difficulty to get possession of the Vessel apparel &c and Cargo; as the the Catain has Sworn it is his_ You would however do well to get a Letter from the Collecor of Philadelphia to the Collector of this por_ so that your Son may not exerience any difficulty relative to security &c_ if necessary before he gets possession_ a letter from the honorable Colonel to Mr. Wolcot would be essentially serviceable. The Captain has gone further in his answer to the examination made than I had any Idea_ he does not State that the Patty ws lait_ but that he Sold her. The Business as it now Stands requires nothing can bee done until your Son Benjamin gets here_ when he arrives in Georgetown he will find me by enquiering at the Stage Tavern. I shall return this Evening as Tomorrow morning home Command my Services when they Can be usefull to you and believe me to be very sincerly I am [undecipherable] Jeremiah Condy

[undecipherable] The report that the Captain is taken

Col Hodgdon Charles Page Aug 17. 1800 Mr. Jeremiah Condy Accountants Offices City of Washington Collectors Office Alexandria August 17 1800 Sir I this day communicated to the Attorney General of the United States, the information you gave me yesterday relative to the Captain of the Brig Ranger he conceives it necessary that you should come and make an Affidavit before the Mayor relative to the circumstances of the Brig Patty in order to prevent his obtaining Bail agreeably to the Laws of the United States, respecting acts of Piracy. When you were in Town yesterday Captain Merchant had made his escape but has since been brought back, and is now in close confinement, he may effect his beeing bailed a second time, therefore absolutely necessary that he should be prevented I am, with respect Sir yor obt. Servt. Chal. Page Df Coll.

Mr. Jeremiah Condy City of Washington