Secretary of War     Purveyor Depart^m                 May 17, 1800 — Sir   Seeing in the public prints that Israel Whelen Esq is appointed Purveyor of public Supplies I thought it my duty to inform that Gentleman of my provisional appointment and of my readiness to deliver the Business of the Office over to him immediately — M^r Whelen informed me verbally that that he has not yet received his commission — and requested the matter might lie over till next week. — Permit me Sir to ask your Instructions as to the manner in which my compensation for the time I have been in office and for the Business I have to be done is to be regulated. So that the charge I may make for this object may meet your approbation. Your Neh^am White