[Extract of a letter from the Secretary of [undecipherable] May 21^st 1799. — The house of Panton and Leslie [undecipherable] had several trading establishments for supplying [undecipherable] goods, within that part of the Territory of the [undecipherable] United States, lately evacuated by Spain, agreeably to [undecipherable] treaty as these Gentlemen established and carried on [undecipherable] trade with the Indians, under protection of Spain, [undecipherable] expect their Agents, will be permitted to collect [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to them among the Indians, and to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] transactions without interruption [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the expectation to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] General Wilkinson in a [undecipherable] of January last that it was [undecipherable] Panton & Leslie be permitted [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of winding up the[ir] business [undecipherable] [undecipherable]ying to that house, I have [undecipherable] [undecipherable] received by the General; that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] issued to the Officers Comm[undecipherable] [undecipherable] this [undecipherable] however, my letter may not [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] received, and to guard against any improper conduct of the Military Officers in that matter, you will be pleased to issue such orders as may secure to Agents of Panton & 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 McHenry Major Gen^l Hamilton