Pittsburgh 2d August 1793 Sir, Your Letter of the 27th Ultimo, together with a letter from Samuel Hodgdon Esqr Enclosing three Thousand Dollars is this Moment come to hand, a Packet for the Commander in Chief is also Received, together with letters for [illegible] Officers at Head Quarters which shall be forwarded by Lieut Tinsley, who is to sett off on Monday next. Capt Pratts Detachment is not yet arrived, but expected tomorrow. On his Arrival I shall shew him that part of your letter Respecting fifty Men of his Detachment halting here till further Orders.
All the stores that have come to hand since Captain Pikes departure, together with articles provided here, shall be forwarded in Charge of Lieut Tinsley, I have just Received a Packet addressed to the President of the United States, and three Packets addressed to the Secretary of War, which are now sent forward by Port I have also Received a letter from the Quarter Master General dated the 11th Ultimo, a Transcript of which is Enclosed; you will see by this Letter, that the Quarter Master General Expected the whole amount of Stores Required for the Current Year, would have Reached here by that time, my feelings are Exceedingly hurt by several Expresses particularly on the Stores that have yet come to to hand have not been delayed, here one hour unnecessarily, nor have, I Neglected any Article of his Requisition that I was enabled to purchase with the Money put into my hands, or to procure on my own credit, a Statement of my Receipts, and disbursements of Public Monies, sent by last Post, Explains the Reason, that all the Waggons have not been purchased, and sent forward, as they cannot be obtained, without Money, the Axes, and other Articles are mostly sent forward.
I am just Returned from laying out a Store House, Block House, and Small Stockade at, Wheeling, and for contracting for the Materials and Employing Workman, who I Expect will have the Store House completed by the 15th Instant, but I am apprehensive this situation will not answer, ever purpose intended, as an Island, opposite Wheeling, that is nearly two miles long, will prevent the Block House Guns from Commanding the whole of the River. The principle Channel, however, is on the East side of the Island and the Mouth of Wheeling Creek (immediately under the Block House) forms an excellent Harbour for Boats.
I have enclosed a Copy of a letter from Mr. William Wilson, dated Detroit 9th July 1793, to his friend James Bryson of this place – by this letter, Mr. Wilson appears to have no hopes of peace.