[Duplicate] War Office July 6. 1795 No 5 Contrary to orders all the Indian Goods belonging to Col° O'Hara, now sent down the river from Pittsburg; whereas I had directed only a few specified articles to be sent to Head Quarters. However a bargain for the whole has since been made with Col° O'Hara; but such circumstances occurred unexpectedly as induces me to desire you to save samples of the linnen & callico shirts, to be forwarded at a convenient time to this City. If the linnen is of various qualities, save a shirt of each sort, to the number of two or three in all. The callico doubtless will vary very much, and the like varied samples are to be retained. The object is to enable the Purveyor upon inspecting them to compare the prices given to Col° O'Hara with the qualities of the shirts. So many therefore are to be reserved as will enable the Purveyor to judge of the average qualities of the whole. You will also examine all the articles of goods bought of Col° O'Hara and make such notes (to be transmitted to me) of their qualities as will be a guide in judging of their value. They have been two or three years on hand, and there is much danger that the woolens are moth-eaten. In case any of the goods are damaged, by moths or otherwise, you will note the precise kinds and quantities so damaged, and the bales and cases in which they are found; and form your opinion of the degree of damage. It may also be proper to call for a survey, by some Officers best acquainted with goods. And in estimating the damages, let the appraisement be not of the supposed value in money of the damage sustained, but whether the goods are lessened in value by one eighth, one fourth, — one third, or any other proportion of their original value. This subject I intended to have noticed some time since; but it has been forgotten. I hope the letter will not arrive too late to have it attended to. I am Sir with esteem your obed^t Servant Timothy Pickering Col° R. J. Meigs.