for the protection of the exposed frontiers. "I find it will be in vain to depend upon any of the detachments for the seasonable protection of the money for the payment of the troops up to the first of August - I shall therefore send it from here under the best security which can be desired, and I request you would detach a prudent officer and twenty dragoons so as to meet it at Bedford, on, or about the twentieth instant." "This information ought to be a profound secret, otherwise bad minded people might attempt to intercept so large a Sum." I hope you have ordered M^r Swan up to Head Quarters - the payments ought to be regularly made in order to prevent confusion - in case of his non arrival the person who shall have charge of the money will be appointed to make the payments. I have the honor to be with great esteem your most obedient Serv^t Major Gen^l Wayne H. Knox Sec^y of War [horizontal rule] N° 17 From Gen^l Knox Sec^t of War War Department September 11^th 1792 Sir; Conceiving it would delay the money for the payment of the troops to the first of August