[Head of War] Nov 12^th 1796 Phila Sir The various parts of the business of treating with the Indians which I have empowered to require my particular Attention & having to make it necessary that I should be furnished with one person Capable of Assisting in which he should be clear & ready as well as patient & Attentive in treating with the Indians to explain every thing to them fully state their ideas are slow at Calculating in want of figures they are very suspicious of being over reached another reason would urge the necessity of a person of enlygely and capacity being at the post able to conduct the business in case of the incapacity of the Principal from pickings or other accident — Your most Oby Ser [signature] Phil 25 Nov [Ex? 17]96 I must take the liberty in addition to the number given I have red to solicit your further indulgence to me of my little affairs during my absence [what money I have] [undecipherable] you'll be able to apply [at your direction] [undecipherable]: you can do any thing with it so as to afford me Common Interest [undecipherable] opportunity I will be well of if you should not have [undecipherable] first