[Received from State Dep Nov. 24 1810. B.P.O. 401810.] Springfield Nov. 3 1800. Sir, I can very readily conceive your anxiety to know the result of the trial of the Superintendent & Store keeper – and I wish it was in my power to gratify you. The Court met on the 15 ult, they appointed an Attorney to prosecute in behalf of the United States, the Superintendent appeared with two able Counsel – the trial lasted five days & is still left open at his particular request to clear up (I [undecipherable: probable reading - hope]) some thing that Stick. [undecipherable] we have to affirm – that under [undecipherable] superior abilities, manifested by two of the Gentlemen of the Court, does them the highest [undecipherable: probable reading - honor] the others are cloven in Character to [undecipherable] suspicion and manifest such partiality & [undecipherable] so much weakness, as injured him in the opinion of his best friends. It was then [undecipherable] brought to the [undecipherable] & the Court [undecipherable] George [undecipherable] M'[undecipherable] Attorney to prosecute on behalf of the United States the charges against me – I [undecipherable] sincerely wished you was present – however I had the testimony of a good conscience & all my Books & vouchers at hand to support me – the first thing the attorney wished to substantiate was (and on which the charges principally depended he said) that I was only a subordinate Officer to the Superintendent, that I acted under him, to support which Letters were produced from the late Secretary where in the Sup^t was called on to make Statement to him of the work done & the average cost of each Musket &c to enable him to [undecipherable: probable reading - report] the State of the Department to Congress – this, the attorney said was evidently considering him the Head of the Department – also as further evidence he said – my Salary bore no proportion to the Sup^t pay, that I could not purchase a single article for the Factory without his direction & then only in quantum as he pointed out – that my vouchers were of no validity without his Sanction – from all these circumstances it appeared to [him] that I was only Pay master subject to his [undecipherable] – the Chairman was clearly of opinion with the attorney and asserted that the late Secretary told him I was only [a] subordinate Officer to the Superintendent, and it was also the opinion of a number of Gentlemen in Philadelphia whom he had conversed with that the Sup^t was at the Head of the Department – it appeared to him so clear he was astonished any one should think otherwise [undecipherable marginalia] The other two Gentlemen were [undecipherable] I did not give their opinion – To the Statement of the attorney & irresistible eloquence of the Chairman – I had nothing to oppose but my instructions & your Letters – and the opinion of judicious sensible men on my instructions at the time of my going into office who was consulted at the particular request of the Dep^t at that time – Your opinion the attorney said were not clothed with any powers as you acted without the [undecipherable: probable reading - authority] of the Secretary – I have ever considered myself as the only responsible Agent in the Department – your Letters have breathed the same sentiments – I think it can [undecipherable: probable reading - hardly] be a doubt as [to] this transaction, [undecipherable] be clearly stated – however I believe it of little [undecipherable: probable reading - importance] as it relates to [undecipherable] – what [undecipherable] – whether I shall be hanged or transported I have yet to learn. I believe however I shall not be found wanting – I expect the Court will be together again this week – I think it probable you will be informed of the results of the enquiry before I shall. if so be good enough to advise me –. I wish you to consider this as a private Letter – I am Most respectfully y^r &c &c Sam^l Hodgdon Esq^r Joseph Williams P. After the Court have reported to the Sec^y the result of their enquiry – I am sure he will think it advisable to request you to come and assist this Post – it will not be in the power of the Court to remedy all the evils which exist – It is a fact that the men were threatened to be turned out of the works if they dared to appear as evidence against the Sup^t – some of the most important were at a distance & not to be had – those present that dared to speak the truth expect to be turned out of the works – which I expect will be the case – these evils with others must be checked or the utility of the Establishment will suffer injury – [signature] [Docketing, written sideways:] Colonel Williams / D[undecipherable] [undecipherable] on as / [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] matter – / [undecipherable] 1800