[Endorsed: Major Isaac Craig — 28. June 1796 — Printer & Hodgdon] Sir, Philad.^a 23^d June 1796 The greatest difficulty I experience in stating the Accounts of the public Agents is the want of accuracy in their returns — In the last returns of Provisions received from you I find an Entry of 3112 lbs of "Hides and Tallow" — as these articles are distinct, as much so as any other parts of the Bullock, why are they thus indiscriminately inserted? how am I to know how many pounds of each are to be entered in their respective Columns — The quantity of each must be ascertained in this and every similar Entry to be made in your future returns — The next entry in your return which requires explanation stands thus: Received of General Wilkins at La Boeuf 3000 th Beef &c. And delivered at those Posts by General Wilkins 9981 &. ths of ditto. Why does not the last Quantity stand to your debit as well as the first — instead of this you admit the first to your debit, and take Credit for the second — All the rations delivered by the Contractors or their Agents at La Boeuf should appear to your debit, and the delivery of them to the proper Order will blot them to your Credit — Unless a General, not a partial Return is made, my entries can never agree with the Quantities of Provisions paid for at the respective Posts where they are consumed — All Provisions received at Pittsburgh, or its dependencies should appear to your debit, as you are the only accountable Person I have any knowledge of — The Sup[plies] forwarded to Forts Franklin, La Boeuf & Presqu'[isle] are entered in one general map — How is it possible I could know what portion of them each Garrison received — It is indispensibly necessary that the Quantities forwarded to each should appear in your returns — The next Item that calls for explanation is the following — Viz June 1795 forwarded to Fort Randolph two Barrels salted Pork — Pounds 3667 — Marietta Nineteen Barrels of Lotto 889½ lbs — How am I to understand this entry — The two Barrels and the number of Pounds of each in addition, I suppose is meant — if so, how many pounds did the Barrels contain? In fine I wish to know wether in general I am to understand that Barrels, Casks &c with the specified Quantities in pounds subjoined or immediately following mean one and the same thing — or, are they designed to express [underline: distinct] and [underline: different] Quantities — whatever is the real meaning should be [underline: invariably] adhered to, a I shall be for ever at a loss, and my Questions to the loss of my time will be multiplied — I am — Sir, Your most Obedient Serv— Samuel Hodgdon Major Isaac Craig —