Nashville 18^th January 1796 Sir Lately He the un affected elements of our adversaries appear to have combined is giving rise to one misfortune after another — By the Report inclosed with the Abstract of the last quarter, You will learn the injuries Suffered by the proper as well individuals in the consequence of fire — On the Night of the 8^th Instant the boat of Miss [undecipherable] was lost in coming up this river, and with it goods belonging to different persons, to the amount of two thousand pounds Philadelphia Cost beside the [undecipherable: invasion] of the public goods intended for the Chocksaws. This information is received from Some of the [undecipherable: harm] who were with the boat, and have arrived at this place — [underline: I can] [undecipherable] is a Boat containing Some of the public goods, but as it has not arrived at this place which would enable me to determine whether it is public or private property, the public [undecipherable: Cost] cannot be ascertained — Upon injunction to act as much as possible to the public interest, under which I accepted the Temporary Appointment — Agent, Suggests the propriety of making some [underline: [undecipherable]] remarks The Mode of Conducting Indian business which experience has enabled me to make. By the existing mode a distinction is made between, foreign Articles and Such as are purchased of the Country people, this has been attended not only with extreme embarrassment to the Agent in The Settlement of the Accounts, but with a loss to Government which might be Avoided. The articles which come under the denomination of Country produce, The Cast, Dried [undecipherable] which [underline: [undecipherable]] to deduction are generally purchased by the merchants with Merchandize or foreign Articles or their debts discharged in such produce. Most of these Articles this fall, has been purchased with Cash, but this [undecipherable] will be the case — The cash prices of Such Articles are various and fluctuating and purchased in different places in the Country — It is impossible for me to be present when they are purchased, or to know exactly what was given — The cash prices of Articles has differed in a variety of instances According to the necessities of the Sellers. The prices in Merchandize which [undecipherable] not materially different are now uniform and easily ascertained, this place being the Center of business of that kind. Therefore in case the Government Should hereafter contract for Indian Supplies, would it not be better to annihilate the distinction and extend the dimension? It is considered it would be to the interest of the United States [undecipherable] as from every [undecipherable] -dition that has been [undecipherable] it is difficult to procure the business. (And certainly it is a desirable one) would do [undecipherable] that principal [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to furnish foreign Articles alone. foreign Articles have generally varied here at about 125 p^r C^t. The expense is estimated at about 20 p^r C^t The [undecipherable] is certainly considerable, purchasers equal to 10 p^r C^t. Thus I have endeavoured to give You a view of the most eligible mode as it Strikes my mind; but You are in more ample possession than I am of information necessary to promote the interest of the United States I am S^r with [undecipherable] of resp^t &c. [undecipherable] ob^t David Morley Eign Agent of the U. States for S^o West Territory [signed] J.W. Overton [undecipherable] Agent de position [[undecipherable] Nashville [undecipherable] may not see you It is [undecipherable] transmitted a copy of this letter to the Sec^y of War 90] [Nashville [undecipherable] [undecipherable]]