[Wrapper: docket at upper right reading "[undecipherable] Williams / Springfield 1800 / [undecipherable]"; address reading "Samuel Hodgdon [Esq^r?] / Commissary [of?] [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] Philadelphia"; archival stamp "Received / from / State Dep't / Nov. 24, 1894. / B.P.O. 401810."] Springfield Sept 27^th 1800 Sir, I have received your Letter of the 2^d inst enclosing Nine hundred Dollars in Post Notes being the ballance due on my Estimate for Aug^t on account of the Armory. A most Singular Burglary has taken place here which causes much Speculation & has but very recently become public - although it is said the act was done six Weeks ago or more — Mr D. Ames says his Office has been broke open & all his payRolls taken away - it was only made known to a few of his most confidential friends - Gen^l Shephard (an honest Soul) divulged the affair a few days ago - If these payRolls were exact duplicates of those by which his accounts were settled - they must I think (under existing circumstances) be to him of importance - and of what benefit could they be to any other Man - Who would be fool hardy enough to commit Burglary - & hazzard his Life - for a sett of papers which could be to him of no advantage - it is all a — Our friend Lyman continues ill - & it is the opinion of the Doctors he never will recover — the palpitation of the Heart continues — He often speaks of you in the most friendly & affectionate terms — He enjoins it on me to tender you his best wishes in all my Letters — I am Sir most respectfully Your Obedient Servant [undecipherable: probable reading Jonath.] Williams [Address:] Samuel Hodgdon Esquire