Extract of a letter from Major Rivardi dated Niagara Jan^y 10. 1800. "I am sorry to inform you that the Cloathing destined for this Garrison was put in Boats as late as the 7^th of November at Schenectady and with great difficulty conveyed to Oswego — part of the Hogsheads were for two days under water &c &c — Had the person entrusted with that Commission known the impracticability of Water Carriage at this Season he would send Sleighs from Binghams, which would have been the only safe way, and the one which must be adopted now — Our Men suffer greatly, nearly one half are naked — I therefore did not hesitate to contract for the conveyance by land of said Cloathing and took that opportunity to relieve those Men at Oswego by a similar number of trusty Soldiers and one Sergeant, who is perfectly capable of managing the business of Transports — The Soldiers from Oswego will serve as escort to the Clothing which will amount to One hundred & fifty Dollars for the two Sleighs Horses and Drivers. I hope you will approve of a measure which circumstances rendered necessary, — and that you will have the goodness to inform the Secretary of War that I shall draw on him, as soon as the Clothing is safely delivered to this Post." Major Gen^l Hamiltons. [Reply] New York Feb^y 19. 1800. Sir I have received your letter of Jan^y 10^th. and approve of your measures with respect to the Cloathing. Having full confidence in your correctness, I have written to the Secretary of War concerning the payment of the expences incurred in transporting them from Oswego to Niagara. I must however observe that One hundred and fifty Dollars appears to me a very high charge. Drawing for money is to be avoided as much as possible, but when peculiar circumstances render it unavoidable it must be for similar objects upon James Mellor Agent of the Quarter Master General at Philadelphia instead of the Secretary of War. — With true consideration &c Major Rivardi.