[Endorsement: Docter George Pfeiffer / [undecipherable] September / Rec'd 8 Oct^o 1796] [Address (rotated): Major Hodgdon / Philadelphia] [Stamp: Received from State Dep't Nov. 24.18[undecipherable] R.P.O.4018[undecipherable]] [Partial notation, left margin, undecipherable] Fort Fayette Pittsburg. September 3^d 1796 Sir, Some days ago Major Craig put into my hands a letter which he had just received from you; and in which he is desired to demand and receive from me, payment for the carriage of a quantity of Stores. — I determined at once to comply with the demand; but the Major said there was no hurry, and advised me first to write to you. — I therefore take the liberty of mentioning that in overstepping the limits usually prescribed to officers, as to the quantity of baggage and Stores allowed to go free, I was misled by the advice of a gentleman, who has long been in the army; and ought to have known better. He strongly urged me to lay in as large a quantity of Stores as I possibly could, at my first setting out; and when I remarked that baggage and and Stores amounting to several hundredweight had already been put on, he replied, that it mattered not; in as much as it was customary to have officers Stores carried on, gratis; and seemed to think that it made no difference, whether a considerable quantity was conveyed for any individual at one time; or whether the same quantity was carried by smaller parcels at several different periods. — But, Sir, at [strikethrough: a] least one third of all that has been brought for me, consisted of my books; a considerable collection of which is absolutely necessary for a person acting in the capacity in which I am placed — I should not have mentioned these things, had Major Craig not seemed to think, that you might perhaps thereby be induced to dispense with the payment of the carriage. — I beg you, Sir, to let me know your your final pleasure on the subject as soon as possible, as I expect very shortly to descend the Ohio. — It is probable that before this can reach you, [strikethrough: several small f[undecipherable]] several small packages of books & cloaths will have been sent to your Stores, for conveyance; I shall cheerfully pay the carriage for them, and every thing else that may hereafter be brought, as well as for those, you have mentioned to Major Craig, if you shall finally [undecipherable: probable reading "permit"] it. I am with great respect, Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant George Pfeiffer Major Hodgdon a