[59] Sir Pittsburgh 27 February 1795 To the business of the Commissary Store advances some representations in the execution of the Contract with Messrs Scott & Ernest becomes necessary & particularly at present in the article of salted Beef & Pork. Of that already delivered the found on Suspicion that repacking is immediately ancillary and that a very considerable Quantity of Salt is required to preserve it during the summer, this afford to be an expensive business, both with respects to Salt & inspecting Repacking — In the Article Pork, it is not pointed out by the Contract whether any part of the Carcass is to be rejected in packing. I have observed that in all [undecipherable] yet, unless the whole of the fat is packed up with the parts, this makes an addition of at least five [undecipherable] on the whole weight of [undecipherable]. Note to be observed that an Inspector of Beef & Pork under the authority of the laws of Pennsylvania is much wanted at this Post, & I presume an application to the Governor such an appointment might be made. Capt. Ernest & I disagree in opinion with respect to fresh beef [undecipherable] for the [undecipherable] Consumption of this Post. He says the cattle are to be delivered and estimated in the same manner as for the out Posts by this a considerable expense will accrue in Pasturage & Slaughtering &c. which I presume was not intended by all the Contracting Parties. By information now received of Capt. Miller of [undecipherable] it appears that the only Issues of Provisions to the Militia and others in the [undecipherable] of the Western Posts at that Post and a Black house at the Muskingum amount to Eighty [undecipherable] Rations, and the Issues at Gallipolis from Forty Eight Rations. I have accordingly made the necessary arrangements for supplying those Posts. I have enclosed an Estimate of the necessary supplies for the upper posts of the Ohio, founded on a Statement made by [undecipherable] Colo Buller; agreeable to this Statement, I have made a requisition on the Contractors and as soon as the Allegheny is cleared of ice I shall forward six months supplies to Fort Franklin. Your letter of the 25 Instant, is this moment come to hand, I shall make such advances in Money or otherwise as Colo Buller may think requisite to compensate the Indians for the loss of their Friend lately killed at Fort Franklin I am with great esteem, Honble Sir your Ob^t Servant Timothy Pickering Sec^y of War Isaac Craig—