[Vol 1? No 139] [L.] [f D] To the War D^t. May 30^th. 95 A Letter which [strikethrough: it] you was so obliging as to write to David Henley Esq^r notifying the accounts for supplies to the Indians in the South western Territory has been by him Transmitted to our respective Departments. The information thereby given that [strikethrough: public] Agents charge double the quantities [strikethrough: Hopkins] actually delivered, with a view of presenting a false appearance of moderation in their charges, is of a nature too serious to pass without [strikethrough: other] enquiry, as it announces a fraud destructive of all confidence in them who have practiced or connived at such Transactions. We can no doubt that you have been induced to make this representation, by considerations of duty & patriotism. The same obligations compel us to [strikethrough: institute] the disagreeable task of instituting an enquiry for the purpose of obtaining [strikethrough: the particulars] [strikethrough: the authors] of such iniquity. We have therefore Mr Henley to apply to you for the proofs necessary to substantiate the charges, & we shall much obliged to you for any aid or advice, [strikethrough: undecipherable] [strikethrough: your let it] which you may think it proper & consistent with your official station to afford.— If any [strikethrough: other] abuses or practices injurious to the public interest, [strikethrough: should] shall come to your knowledge, we request that they on [strikethrough: ex], [strikethrough: also] be disclosed and put in a train for investigation.— It is not our [strikethrough: desire] to direct your attention to particular facts, as we [strikethrough: aid] wish to obtain information on points which respect our Departments in which the public interest or that of the citizens is concerned.— It may however, to enquire whether the mode of paying the Militia which is understood to have prevailed, has not proved to the injury of those who have performed services [strikethrough: undecipherable] & to the unjust [strikethrough: among] emoluments of those who have speculated in their claims — There exist good reasons for a belief, that the discontents which have existed [strikethrough: in the army have been] among the citizens have proceeded from practices which have not been authorized by the Government & which we feel no disposition to support m John M^cHenry Esq^r