Niagara December 16. 1796. Sir In obedience to yr Order (contained in your letter of the 16 Sept: last) I contracted with M^r Charles Lill master and owner of a Sloop (the only vessel of sufficient size that can enter the harbor [Oswego on this lake) to bring the troops and their baggage from Oswego to this port — for which I engaged, and have drawn bills N^o 1 & 2 of this date on you to the amount of Six Hundred and Eighty Dollars payable ten days after sight at New York. Which I flatter myself will be Honored. With due respect I have the honor to be your Obedient Servant [signature] The Hon^ble Sec^y of War The detachment left Oswego the 17. Nov^r and arrived here the 11^th Dec^r — [address leaf:] [1353 –] [D. H. H.] The Hon^ble James McHenry Esqu^re Sec^y of War Philadelphia