Pittsburgh 8 March 1791 S[ir] I have just received a letter from Detroit dated the 20^th January, which encloses an extract of a letter from a Mr. M'Dougal dated at Fort Defiance 13^th Jany to the following effect, . I am extremely sorry to inform you that M'dou[ndecipherable] . Lt. Underwood's Servants have been [undecipherable] for s[undecipherable] . days, going up the [undecipherable] river on [undecipherable] they to[undecipherable] . up hogs more by Mistake and have not been [undecipherable] . of since — I have [undecipherable] two Ottawa Savages to go in . quest of them with with 20[undecipherable] of bread and [undecipherable] . them out dead on a Live? — The Mr. [undecipherable] mentioned in this extract of a letter acted as D.Q.Master at Fort Washington & since I came to this country has acted generally on the line of [undecipherable] — he was returning from Fort [undecipherable] having been out paying off the [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable]master Department — I am afraid that when [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] a large number of [undecipherable] & in addition [undecipherable] arrange the department [undecipherable] and that only for me [undecipherable] to ascertain the fact & it is Mr. [undecipherable] you has been [undecipherable] on even should I have no intelligence it shall attend to Fort Washington — In which case I expect one to arrange the department, & to be in readiness to receive [undecipherable] to the person appointed to succeed me under [undecipherable] existing Order. — It well be necessary that a time should be drawn [undecipherable] two [undecipherable] when the general administration of the [undecipherable]master Department should cease. & the arrangement render the new appointment commence & [undecipherable] the time when my successor or his [undecipherable] shall [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Stores on hand. & the particular [undecipherable] to which [undecipherable] shall [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] — for it will be impossible to [undecipherable] any administration at [undecipherable] Q.Masters, as the people [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will continue [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] in my name & [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will be considered as under my responsibility unless [undecipherable] [undecipherable] receipt for them — Your directions on this subject with which you will honour me, had [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to this place by post; and should I go to Fort Washington, I will leave directions for there being Forwarded: — I am Sir &c. John Wilkins J^r. Q. Master Gen^l The Hon^ble James McHenry Secretary of War