[Copy of a Letter to Oliver Wolcott N^o 8. Septem^r 1795] I have forwarded at this time by M^r Deaderick the Accounts of John Burtrum esq^r Agent for Sundary and Procuring Indian Supplies. The balance of which Account is $409–/302/15 which he has empowered M^r Deaderick to receive, and which I have reported upon as due. — M^r Foster the contractor for Indian contingencies has advanced Goods to the Cherokees and Chickasaws to the amount of about 800 Dollars and I regret that you will advance him a 1000 Dollars; Agreeable to your Letter to me to that purpose I recommend him for [strikethrough: your notice] that sum; he will empower Mess^rs Meeker & C^o to receive it. The Mero Militia have in many instances found their own rations without orders on necessity [strikethrough: and] for the sake of drawing the twenty five Cents which is an abuse on the Public. — They have no excuse for this misconduct as I immediately sent your explanation of the Law, and I have now informed them that they will only receive the Contract price which is sixteen Cents p^r Ration. The abuses that have been committed in this District have been great and I shall sufficiently [strikethrough: them and] prove, as confirmed by the Affidavits of [undecipherable] persons as to justify a suspension of the accounts of M^r Harvey; therefore if an application should be made to you for any advance on them, you will judge of the propriety of it, and I send forward such evidence as will before long before you the truth on this part of the Public business. — I have sent forward some papers to the Secretary of War by M^r Tate as I chose to commit the letters for that Department to him. [undecipherable] Commercial part of the Indian business is now in good hands — I have only one objection to propose which is, as General Smith the Secretary at the territory is a Gentleman whose character is very fair that there the ordering of Indian supplies and giving orders for the Goods for the Indians — General Robertson is only fit to govern the Indians and in that Service he may be usefull — When more at Leisure will give you further observations on this business — and have only to add at this time — I am very Respectfully