[Duplicate] War department, 28^th July 1791. e Ste, I have received yours of the 14^th instant. The advances you have made to the contractor's agent, must be repaid to you again, all payments are made for provisions at the Treasury. Are M^r Mitchell passed though here time enough to have been at Fort Pitt, when you wrote your last, with money for the contractor's agent. The point is Simply this, the contractor has entered into engagements with the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish provisions to the troops on the Frontiers — If he executes it well he will be paid the Sum Stipulated — if he does not, he will be Subjected to the consequences of the penalty. But the public Service must not be delayed, or injured by the contractors de- ficiencies. But any interference must be by the express orders of the Secr^y. all it whofe charge the public interference committed. I shall not neglect to concern that all the troops arrived at Fort Pitt have descended to Fort Washington. I have written to Major general Butler, that it will be necessary for him and you are to retain to Headquarters as long as the public interest will admit. You will make arrangements for you to leave Fort Pitt for the transportation of Captain Pillow's detachment which may consist of about two hundred and fifty. He will leave Cantile tomorrow. In addition to his detachment there may be transportation to be provided for about three hundred more troops. Major Craig will I presume be empowered in you on the subject. Sam Sir Your humble Servant. Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r Q M to the United States. Henry Knox Sec^y of War