I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Exc⟨el⟩lency’s letter of the 3d instant, inclosing a memorandum of sundry small articles which I hope to get ready in time to go herewith ⟨by⟩ the Post.1

Pursuant to Your Excellency’s directions respecting the mo⟨ney⟩ arising from the sale of the bills,2 I applied to the Board of Treas⟨ury⟩ in the month of February, for an order on the Loan Office of Virg⟨inia⟩ for the amount, informing them that I had such a sum to depo⟨sit⟩ in that Office, which, on the receipt of such order, I could appropri⟨ate⟩ to the use of the public here. I took this method as well because I thought it the most safe and expeditious way of negotiating t⟨he⟩ business, as because I knew the Board at that time wanted to draw money from Virginia. I did not, however, obtain th⟨e⟩ order till about the last of March or beginning of April. I transmitted it to Williamsburg, and the certificates, as direc⟨ted⟩ were taken out some time in April and forwarded to Mr Lun⟨d⟩ Washington. I endeavoured to get them dated as of the tim⟨e⟩ the money was ready here, but could not obtain them of an earlier date than the time of taking them out of the Office.

I have made as much enquiry as time & circumstan⟨ces⟩ would permit for a suitable person as a steward to Your Excellency’s Family; but hitherto with little prospect of success. I shall, however, continue to make diligent enquiry ⟨&⟩ do myself the honor to inform you of the result; but I cann⟨ot⟩ at present entertain very flattering hopes: So many people th⟨is⟩ way have been called to public employments in the various de⟨part⟩ments, that almost every one looks above the station for whic⟨h⟩ he is qualified. The best chance of success seems to be among the unfortunate refugees from the States invaded by the Ene⟨my.⟩ I have the honr to be with perfect respect Your Excellency’s most obedient hume servt