Philadelphia 3. Aug. 1799 Sir, I have received your letter of the 29^th Ultimo, and have communicated its contents to the Secretary of War. The papers that respect the public's lands on which their buildings is erected, together with all the quantity originally held by them must be preserved entire — No subsequent claims however founded will be permitted to abridge it in the least — Be pleased to communicate this information to Col Wollstoncraft and Major Alexander, and also to the proprietors Agent who you say is present — No time will be lost in forwarding such documents as are proper — I wish you to state to me the number of rooms upper and under in the Barracks and their dimensions, with the number of men they will accommodate, I understand the buildings are repairing generally the Barracks of course — I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant, Samuel Hougdon — [Mr Richard Parker —] Sir, Philadelphia 3. Aug 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 — Maj Rivardi's Returns of Military and Quarter master's Stores for the 1^st of January 1797, is the document on which the debit for the post is raised — no subsequent Returns were received until there of yours under date of the 26^th July 1793 were transmitted — 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 times above mentioned? To enable you to look into the business with full information I enclose a Statement showing 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 26^th July 1793 which are regular to the 28 March 1799 no account is given by which I can know from whom you received the additional supplies which appears in your Returns — No order or Voucher for these 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 suppose you have been regularly instructed by the Secretary of War on this subject, and that you will attend immediately 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 Hougdon — [Mr Patrick Mc Niff,]