173 Pittsburg 19 August 1796 Sir, I have received your letter of the 12th instant. Two Boats for M. Ellicott and his Attendants shall immediately be provided of the burthen you mention I presume these boats are intended to be of a proper Construction to ascend the River With respect to the Flour offered by Matthew Ernest, it is an unfortunate Circumstance that Alex. Scott one of the late Contractors is now in Phila. or Lancaster therefore his deposition respecting the flour cannot be taken here but must unavoidably occasion a further Delay in receiving it of Mr. Ernest who is very solicitous to have it off his hands. I have therefore to beg of you Sir to direct Some person to call upon Mr. Alexander Scott for the necessary proofs respecting the purchase of the flour &c and it is to be observed that Mattw. Ernest on the 8th. day of July 1796 made a tender to me of 200 barrels of flour as formerly stated by him to have been purchased under an agreement with M. Tenche Francis. I have this day transmitted to Mr. Samuel Hodgdon four Packets containing a General Return of QMaster, Ordnance & Hospital Stores & Cloathing &c. together with Vouchers of Issues. these packets I have taken the liberty of sending under Cover to you, Sir, and have to request that they may be handed to Mr. Hodgdon. Previous to my leaving Philadelphia in May last you assured me, Sir, that my Claim of Compensation for cretin Services in Ordnance & Cloathing departments should not be neglected in consequence of which I have directed Mr. 174 Samuel Hodgdon to mention that business to you when at Leisure and to obtain a Settlement of it. I am Sir Your Ob. St. I.C. Honble. James Mc.Henry Sec’y at War Philadelphia