Pittsburg 26th August 1796 Sir I have received your letter of 19th inst. The enclosed return of Commissary Stores comprehending the Receipts of Issues of Provision from the 1st June 1795 to the 1st of July 1796 will exhibit the several quantities of whiskey received of the agent of Purchase & forwarded to Fort Washington and the other posts during that period. A Statement made on the back of the Return for March, April, May & June 1796 will shew the quantity of whiskey since recd. of the agent to be 6708 Gallons of which 3441 1/4 gallons have been sent to Fort Washington and at the end of this month deducting the Issues of this post there will be on hand 3141 Gall. but the Alleghany is not now navigable for loaded Boats, therefore the whiskey cannot be sent to Le Boeuf until the water rises which is not probably before October. On making choice of ground on which to erect a Block House & Barracks at Le Boeuf. I found the most suitable of the small squares reserved for public use connected with two Lotts in the Town of Waterford, viz. Lotts No. 37 & 38 These Lots being offered for sale at auction by the Commissioners of the State of Pennsylvania, to wit, Gen Irwin & Geo William. I applyd to them to reserve them for the use of the United States, but was told by them it was not in their power to reserve any Lots that were advertised but advised me to purchase and said that they had no doubt of the Legislature of Pennsylvania’s ceding those lots together with the other Square to the U.S. on proper application. I have therefore to beg your attention to that business. These Lots were purchased in my name, viz No. 37 at 135 Dollars & No. 38 at 150 Dollars - part of which to be paid in three months: But I presume on application to the Governor the conditions of sale will be dispensed with till an application can be made to the Legislature.
I am, Sir Your Obedt Servt I.C. Hob James McHenry Sec’y of War