to answer. The public property has been wantonly detained and exposed, & I think we shall eventually convince the Actors of their errors. Your conduct as far as I am acquainted with it has been good, and I shall accordingly do what I can to serve you. I am Sir Your obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon [flourish] M^r. D. Buchanon. [flourish] Philadelphia 13^th September 1798 Sir. The Secretary of the Treasury being desirous to draw the monies remaining in your hands for the Sale of the U.S. Lands, into the Treasury, has desired me to make an arrangement for its being paid to authorized Agents of the Q.M. Department, and inform you what Bills & to what extent you may properly receive. In compliance with his wishes thus signified I request you to pay on the drafts of Major Isaac Craig D.Q.M. General at Pittsburgh as occasions may require the whole amount of Doll. 899.⁷²/100 that being the precise balance on hand as stated to me by the Secretary. You will please to take triplicate receipts for all sums paid, one of which will be enclosed to the Comptroller of the Treasury, another to me, and the third to remain with you to substantiate the charges to be made in your [account,]