Sir, Philadelphia, 3. Aug^t. 1799. In examining the documents on which the account in my Books of the Military supplies at Detroit is founded a considerable difference in the state of the Stores discovered for which no account or reason is given — Major [undecipherable: probable reading Rivardi]'s Returns of Military and Quarter Master's Stores dated the 1^st of January 1797, is the documents on which the debit for the post is raised, no subsequent Returns were received until those of yours under date of the 20^th July 1798. were handed Two questions here arises— when did you take official charge of the Stores? did you receipt to any person for what was then on hand? or do you know who received and delivered the Stores at the Post between the periods above mentioned? To enable you to look into the business with full information I enclose a Statement shewing the difference alluded to— I wish you to examine it and give me the required information as early as possible— Another thing I must inform you for your future government; from the Returns received from you since the 20^th July 1798. which are regular to the 20 March 1799 no account is given by which I can know from whom you received the additional supplies which appear in your Returns— Nor order or Voucher for those delivered— for want of these your account can receive no credit, though it may be charged with such articles as you acknowledge to have received— I expect you have been regularly instructed by the Secretary of War on this subject, and that you will attend implicitly to the instruction; for without such information I can not proceed in the business assigned me— I want monthly returns and Quarterly accounts and vouchers — Will thank you to inform me when you were appointed Conductor of Military Stores, and by whom— I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant, Samuel Hodgdon— M^r. Patrick Mc. Niff.