the prop[er] on the occasion — It strikes one that it might introduce some perplexity, if not confusion in the accounts of as well as arrangements for, your department, were the business to pass from your superintendance to that of another, for the short period between January and the 4th of March; as therefore you seem inclined to continue till March, your accounts may be brought up accordingly. After finishing the transportation of the public property, you will proceed to dispose of as many of the Oxen, and Pack Horses, as may not absolutely necessary for incidental, and occasional services during the winter. You will of course give due notice in the News Papers, and otherwise of the time and place where they are to be sold, and return an account of the sales. I leave it with you to make such dispositions on this subject as may oper-ate to prevent them from selling under their value. Sir October 31^st 1796. Be pleased to raise an account against the Contractor for all expences that have accrued in transporting any articles to enable him to ful-fil the terms of his Contract and transmit the same to the Secretary of the Treasury, in order that the Contractor may be charged therewith. Sir March 17. — 1797. I have received your letters dated the 17^th Nov.^r, 17^th Feb.^y ult^o and [undecipherable] and to this instant. With respect to the Sloop, Detroit, should you find upon a represen-tation from Brigadier General Wilkinson that she will be required, and necessary for the transportation of Troops or Public Stores, and upon in-spection of her, or from any report in your possession, that certain repairs are indispensible to fit her for such service, you will cause the articles wanted, to be purchased, and the repairs to be made. If articles are to be purchased in this Town for your Department, and sent hence, you will give orders to that effect to your Agent here; if you have one. M.^r Samuel Hodgdon has been Agent heretofore for the Quarter Master General. If he is to act for you, and pay your Bills, it is proper that he should be authorised by you. I enclose you the Act of Congress passed the 3^d instant, continuing the Quarter Master General. The [undecipherable: probable reading "Contracts"] which are about to take place for the years 1797, and 1798, will stipulate, that proper [undecipherable] shall be provided at the several posts, at the expence of the United States, for the safe keeping of the Provisions, to be deposited at them respectively. You will therefore turn your immediate attention to this subject, and have such repairs made to the Store houses, in the posts on the Lakes and at such other posts as shall be pointed out to you, by Brigadier General Wilkinson. Sir September 8. 1798. I have received your letters of the [undecipherable] and 31 August ult^o. M.^r Hodgdon has been informed that a Vessel for the United States would