[No 23. From Major Gen^l Knox Sec^y of War] War department October 26^th 1792. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 19^th instant, with the enclosures therein mentioned, which have been Submitted to the President of the United States. The ulterior disposition of your troops will of course be postponed until the information and opinion you intimate are received — The affairs in the South, notwithstanding my former information [strikethrough: and situation] exhibit a threatening appearance. The recruits from Richmond, Alexandria, Winchester and Shepherds Town in Virginia, and Frederick & Hagars town in Maryland, amounting to about one hundred & fifty will probably commence their march about this time for Pittsburgh, under Captains Stephenson, Brook and Winston — The other recruits at the respective rendezvous, amount — at present to about one hundred and sixty — and will soon be in motion forwards — The Quarter Master has made a requisition for fifty thousand Dollars for forage boats, and five hundred pack horses. I have requested of him a return of the number of pack horses now in service, and information of the effects for which the number of five hundred additional pack horses are required — the forage is so exceedingly expensive that no more horses ought to be retained in the service than shall be indispensible necessary. The Quarter Master ought to observe the most perfect oeconomy on this head, or the expence will be insupportable. Suffer me to entreat your attention to this and all other points in which expence may be incurred — The Quarter master was particularly instructed on the subject of Oxen, and M^r Belli in his letter observes that they answer well — if they could be substituted in lieu of horses the saving would be great on forage and the animal with a good arrangement ultimately useful to the Army. The County Lieutenants are applying to this office for the payment of the fronts authorized by my letter of the 29^th of December a copy of which is enclosed — as the money is forwarded to Pittsburgh for this object, please to make it known, that the County Lieutenants are to apply there for payments