[Postal stamp: YORK / AUG / [undecipherable]] [Received stamp: Received / State Dep^t / Nov 24 / From / [undecipherable]] [Notation: Aug 3] [Margin notation: No. 906] [Address: [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / Esq / Philadelphia] Colonel S. Hodgdon. New York August 22^d 1800 I have this moment My dear Sir receiv'd your esteem'd favour of [undecipherable] and in reply thereto have the honor to inform you, that I took the liberty of addressing a letter to the Secretary of the Navy on the 7^th July, I have since receiv'd no reply — I And altho I do not know how to construe his silence, I do not wish to intrude upon his condescension a second time — In relating to him my wrong— I could not certainly offend, as I intimated to him, that a desire to be relieved from a state of suspence more intolerable than a total rejection — not a wish to become a tax upon the publick, before the motives which led to my nomination — should render it necessary — was the only I sole reason of my suing for his decision — expressing a hope that I should be order'd for the New York — concluded, as far as I remember (for I believe I keep copies) my letter — You will probably therefore agree with me in the propriety of me not writing again — For my Justification in the eyes of my fellow Citizens, (to whom my disappointment is known,) who may be prejudiced against my medical Character on that account — for they know the effect, altho not the [underline: cause] which led to me being superseded, should Mr Stoddart not take any notice of my situation — My friends will apply to the President in my favour — this against my will — Mr Stoddarts well known character leads however I expect from him that decision — which will be pleasing to my friend & highly gratifying & flattering to me — The Court Martial opened yesterday on Board the New York — Our City still continues healthy — which to us is a pleasing gratification — Pardon me My Dear Colonel for the trouble I give you — & be assur'd that your politeness & attention shall be indelibly engraven on the Affection & Heart of Your Grateful & Most Humble Serv — [undecipherable] Buchanan Colonel Samuel Hodgdon.