[Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of War dated May 21^st 1799: —] The house of Pantoro and Leslie of Pensacola had several trading establishments for supplying the Indians with goods, within that part of the Territory of the United States, lately evacuated by Spain, agreeably to treaty as these Gentlemen established and carried on their trade with the Indians, under protection of Spain, they expect their Agents will be permitted to collect the debts owing to them among the Indians, and to close their Mercantile transactions without interruption from our garrisons. Considering the expectation to be reasonable, I informed Brigadier General Wilkinson in a letter dated the 31^st of January last that it was proper the agents of Pantoro & Leslie be permitted to proceed, in the course of winding up their business and collecting the debts, owing to that house, I have no doubt if my letter has been received by the General, that the necessary orders have been issued to the Officers Commanding on the Mississippi — but however my letter may not have been received, and to guard against any improper conduct of the Military Officers in that Quarter, you will be pleased to issue such orders as may secure to Agents of Pantoro & Leslie, all necessary and proper freedom, in the lawful prosecution of their business. I think it of some consequence, not to give offence to these Gentlemen, but to aid them as far as may be done with propriety. Signed James M^cHenry Major Gen^l Hamilton Sir Fort Steuart July 19^th 1799. Enclosed I have the honor to transmit to you Returns of the Troops Ordinance, Quarter Master — Hospital departments & Contractors Stores — and beg you to be so good as to examine the Return of the hospital department [undecipherable: most] [undecipherable: minutely], and you will find the state of the Medicine [undecipherable: miserable] — In a letter lately received from the Commander in Chief, dated New Orleans June [undecipherable]