Pittsburgh 24^th March 1797 Sir I am honoured with yours of the 17 Instant. I shall attend to the fitting of the united States Sloop Detroit, as she will be necessarily employed between Detroit, and Michilemakinac & [undecipherable] &c — I shall attend immediately to providing proper stores at the different posts, for the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I believe there are stores at every post now as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the mention of new, will be necessary to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the troops will take other positions — am Sir with respect Your most ob't and Very Hum't Ser't [signature] [undecipherable] Master Gene[ral] [The Hon^ble James McHenry Sec'y of War]