[271] Knoxville April 9^th. 1800. Sir, Your letters of the 18^th & 21^st march Received by the last Mail, and have embraced the opportunity of this Post to explain to you what appeared doubtfull in Respect to the Bill drawn in favor of John M^cHosker? By that of the first, The Bill was drawn in his favor for $585 Dollors the Specie which he Paid Barclay M^cGhee by my Directions being so much due M^cGhee [After deducting One hundred and twenty Dollars for two public Houses] for Waggoning for the Garrison at Tellico, and is distinct from the Factory, and a proper Charge to the Quarter Masters Department. The whole account being 705 Dollars is a larger sum than has been Spaid for all the transport of Goods to the Factory in this State since its Commencement of busines[s] to the present time. — It was my Contract with M^cGhee that he should furnish Cap^t. Butler with a Team for the use of the Garrison at three Dollars per day when it was wanted and having Cap^t. Butler's Certificate of the Number of days employed, the account was Stated, a Copy of which I enclose. My reasons for desiring M^r. Hosker to pay the balance are; that it was convenient to both M^cGhee and Hosker the Latter being desirous to Remit; and the sum being in Dollars [undecipherable] both branches of Transportation — I... I also forward to You a Second Copy of my Register of Persons Licensed to trade in the Indian Nations agreeable to Your desire in the Last Letter and I Now forward my explanations for giving John Chisholm a License, on his first arrival to this Country he Shewed me a passport from One of the British Officers and another from Rufus King esquire, as also a letter from Colonel Pickering intimating he might go into the Nation after Consulting Col. Hawkins, and that he had no doubt he might be of Service to his Country if he was so disposed at the same time Reminding him of what he had been thought guilty of and with a hope that it would be a warning to him The Bloody Fellow came with him and begged that I would forgive him, and let him go into the Nation There being no Agent in the Nation I thought it would be most beneficial for the Public Peace to let him go in, and gave him a pass to M^r. Hawkins a Copy of which I enclose. M^r. Hawkins being engaged in Running the line for the Creeks, Chisholm Returned and gave me that as a Reason for not seeing him, and requested a License which I refused till he went and brought a Number of the most wealthy people in the Town who Offered to be his Security from the same Motives that I was governed by at first [that was quietness to the Indians] and believing it most likely to attain that by having him Under Bond with good Securities my Opinion prevailed in letting him have one. — But I wrote You the 4^th September 1799 to take Your opinion upon my propriety, and your Silence prevented my recalling his License till I received Your positive orders therefore I am Respectfully Your Humble Ser^vt David Henley Agent of War The Honorable James M^cHenry