Pittsburg 1^th December 1797 [ilk?] Your letter of the 16^th of October last was delivered to me by Major Freeman in his arrival in the Evening of the 27^th [ult?]. Agre=able thereto I have given Major Freeman copies of Invoices of all the Military Stores forwarded to Fort Massac and also of those lately sent to Fort Washington. And Shall pay immediate attention to Mustering of Captain Peirce's [Captain Lewis's?] Companies on their arrival and shall pay to the Noncommissioned Officers & Privates the sums that may appear due to them severally up to this date. Boats are in readiness for transportation of these Companies, but as their arrival will be late and the navigation already much obstructed by Ice, I am apprehensive they will be detained at this post during the Winter. I shall inform you of the time of their arrival at and departure from Pittsburg. I am Sir, Your very Obed. Humb Serv. [signature] Hon. James McHenry Sec'y of War