[Wrapper: addressed Col. [undecipherable] Hodgdon / Washington City / Philadelphia; [seal]; filing notation: [undecipherable] Buchanan / Aug 20 / 1800; Received stamp: State. Dep't. from Nov. 21, 394. R. P11 401810; archival notation: No 59906] New York August 19^th 1800 I am this Moment My Dear Colonel inform'd of Capt. Morrow's return from Washington — I am also given to understand that the Secretary of the Navy has not allow'd him to bring on his effects to the New York [undecipherable] from the Adams — his former Surgeon Mr Davis intends waiting him on this duty &t — and [undecipherable] Davis [undecipherable] his writing [undecipherable] would not avail him much I embrace the earliest opportunity of writing you — confident that you well endeavour to anticipate his intentions, in favour [of] whom you have honour'd with the title of Friend — Your own honour, as well as mine is in some measure concern'd after the Secretary of the Navy [undecipherable] you to inform me of any success — respecting the President. Be assur'd however I do not wish to injure Mr Davis — but at the same time I cannot help remarking that I should never consent to hold a Commission in a Vessel that Mr Davis has been promoted from — My application was given in before him — Mr Adams was not my Aim — But he may probably urge the plea of Seniority — Respecting Medical officers the plea of Seniority will not hold good — it would indeed be a despicable scale for the graduation of abilities — Mr Davis has studied two or three years — but these were interrupted by Collegiate Duties — I left my country young (13) on purpose to acquire an education that the Infancy of [our] Universities denied — Whether I have succeeded or not time will determine — there can however be no impropriety in your soliciting for me the Surgency of the New York — My being previously nominated for the President — My being the son of a Citizen of [the City of] New York — & my own unequivocal affection for the Government of my Country — independent of my Medical character, which is open to investigation — entitle me [to] expect a preference in a vessel built by my fellow Citizens Patriotism In short I have only to appeal to [undecipherable] Heart — to receive from it a verdict in my favour — [undecipherable] eminently distinguished for Justice, Fairness, & Rectitude of Conduct — I look to him & you for a Decision, which will more than ever bind the ties of Gratitude & Esteem — which I owe you individually — Forgive this hasty scroll — like the last it is the haste of the Moment & the departure of the Post — the cause of the discredit paid to a [undecipherable: probable reading "friend"] by handing him so many errors — The letter I mention'd in my last was dated about 25^th June & directed at to Washington — Supposing you had already gone [undecipherable] Remember me in the most respectful manner to Mrs Hodgdon & believe me to remain with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Most Ob^t Humble Serv^t [signature: undecipherable] Buchanan [Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r]