[Cover/address panel. Docketing notation at upper right (written vertically): [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] 1000. Postal marking: 25. [Circular stamp impression in lower center.]] Colonel Samuel Hodgdon Intendant of Stores — Philadelphia Dear Sir. Jurgetown. Columbia. August the 19^th 1800 I have just received your favor of the 12^th Instant —— This morning I also received a letter from Mr. Page the Deputy Collector of Alexandria informing me of the recaption of Capt. Merchant —— You will observe by that letter he states it to be the opinion of the Attorney General that in case the Captain should make another attempt at being bailed that it would be proper I should make an affidavit of the Circumstances in order to prevent him — to this have written him in reply that in case the Captain should make any attempt at it that I would immediately, and without a moments delay go down for that purpose —— So that you see they are anxious to establish the accusation of piracy against him —— When I first received this letter I prepared myself immediately to go down — but on reflecting full on your Son's fi=tuation and interest ; might it would be prudent to endeavour to let every thing remain exactly in the Situation in which they now stand until I could personally converse with him, which I expect will be on Saturday — for I presume by that time he will be here —— It is a matter to me of extreme doubt whether the Captain has been guilty of acts of Piracy or not — nor do I think any can be Substantiated, aga[undecipherable] in — the object they have is to detain him until they can hear if any thing of that nature has happened — If Piracy has been committed your Son will find some difficulty in getting possession of Vessel & Cargo — if none has been committed he will get possession of it immediately — it is not therefore the interest of those [he] represent to throw of themselves difficulties in their own way — all we want is [strikethrough: that he [undecipherable] be detained until Benjamin ar[undecipherable]] I expect the Captain will immediately state to him all the Truth of his affairs — Surrender all he he is acknowledge [undecipherable] to be due him as [he] cannot pay — if he does this it is all your Son can get from him — as to his Piracy we know nothing of it if he has committed any — If any real danger happens they wile I expect immediately write me from Alexandria — I [shall] then go down — but I think it prudent [undecipherable] proceed further in this business then is necessary, until I can see your Son and converse fully on the affair —— I suspect the Captain has secret money — if so he must be made to Surrender it —— Let me know immediately on receipt of this that I give out [undecipherable] our approbation — Whatsoever [undecipherable] done here be immediately executed — I [undecipherable] receive no compensation for any of my Services; — [undecipherable] be sufficiently satisfied if I can be of Service to you or any of your family —— Remember that Vessel, Tackle apparel Guns — immunitate of the proceeds of the Cargo are all your Son is ever likely to receive in this affair — I now clearly think they are, part of the proceeds of the outward Cargo of freights — and that the Underwriters can have no claims on them for the Vessel — if he Sold the Vessel and did not loose her, let them [undecipherable: sale?] him [undecipherable] an account Yours Sin^cerely in haste Jeremiah Cordy