in this [undecipherable], to accept your Bills, and receive the money from the Treasury, which you may be authorized to draw for. I shall expect to be furnished with a quarterly Estimate of the sum of money, and the Items for which it may be wanted in your Department, that I may take measures with the Treasury to meet your demands. You will forward the Statement for the present Quarter as soon as possible, it being proper that I should see, and decide upon Estimates previous to granting permission to draw. — In the mean while, should any pressing occasion arise, you may draw to a moderate amount on such person here as you may constitute your Agent, giving me due notice of the amount, and the purpose it is to answer. Sir, October 7, 1796. I have received your letters of the 7^th, 9^th and 10^th ultimo. The Bills which you have drawn on [strikethrough: me] shall be accepted, and paid when presented. Sir, October 28. – 1796. I have been favoured with your letter of the 16^th instant by yesterday's Mail. As the Accounts of the Contractor must be settled in the Treasury Department, I shall submit that part of your letter relative to the aid afforded him in the transporting of Provisions to the Secretary of the Treasury, for his information, and such instructions as he may think proper on the occasion. It strikes me that it might introduce some perplexity, if not confusion, in the accounts of, as well as arrangements for, your department, were the business to pass from your superintendance to that of another, for the short period between January and the 4^th of March; as therefore you seem inclined to continue till March, your accounts may be brought up accordingly. After finishing the transportation of the public property, you will [strikethrough: proceed to dispose] of as many of the Oxen, and Pack Horses, as may not be absolutely necessary for incidental, and occasional Services during the winter. You will of course give due notice in the News Papers, and otherwise, of the time and place where they are to be sold, and return an account of the Sales. I leave it with you to make such dispositions on this subject, as may operat-ate to prevent them from selling under their value. Sir, October 31^st. 1796. Be pleased to raise an account against the Contractor for all expenses that have accrued, in transporting any articles, to enable him to ful-fil the terms of his Contract, and transmit the same to the Secretary of the Treasury, in order that the Contractor may be charged therewith. Sir, March 17. – 1797. I have received your letters dated the 17^th Nov., 17^th Feb. ult., and 3 and to th instant.