[Endorsement: [undecipherable] Harris [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] Department [undecipherable] / 1799 [undecipherable] / data [undecipherable] Oct[undecipherable] 2[undecipherable] [undecipherable] 99 / came to hand [undecipherable] by [undecipherable] port / May 10 [undecipherable] 1799] M^r Edward Wright Factor for the United States Oconee Georgia Philad: 24 [A]pril 1799 — M^r Edward Wright " Factor for the U.S. Oconee Georgia Sir Agreeably to the dire[ctions] of the Secretary for the Department of War — I send you inclosed a [undecipherable] Current of Peltries, which will in some measure regulate your [undecipherable]. But it is not to be supposed that they can be taken from the Ind[ians] at such a rate, as to pay all the Expences of transportation; and [undecipherable] considerable profit here — In order to effect this Object in degree; [undecipherable] best to place a little more advance on the Factory Goods, and [undecipherable] giving nearly the same Price for Peltries — When any considerable quantities of [undecipherable] on hand at the Factory it will be best to have them packed in [the most] compact and safe manner, and transported by the routes establish[ed by] the late Factor to Savannah — particularly Invoiced with respect [to] [N]umber, Weight and Price, and addressed to M^r Joseph Clay, Mer[undecipherable] at that place, who will receive and hold them subject to further [undecipherable.] In packing Beaver and such Furs, care must be taken that all the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] so placed as not to injure the Fur. the best mode is Fur [undecipherable] and Pelt to Pelt which method prevents the Fur from getting [undecipherable] and thereby injuring the Sale — Deer Skins should have their [undecipherable] and Pates cut off as soon as received & an account kept of the diff[erence] of Weight — which difference should be charged in the price per pound[.] Suppose it would average about 10 per Cent; by taking off the Shan[ks and] Pates — two good objects are in view, the one is to prevent the engender[ing of] Vermin which soon destroys the Pelt — the other is to decrease the Exp[ence] of transportation, which is considerable — During the warm Season your Peltries should be so arranged in your Skin House as to receive an Air[ing] and Beating once a Week in the Shade, it is found on Experim[ent that] to Sun Skins, will produce more Worms — If you pack the Fu[rs] care must be taken that the Beaver is placed as before men[tioned, and] have coarser Skins, such as Bear Pelt out — put tightly round [undecipherable] Wrapping — and well lashed with strong Cords. Deer Skins sho[uld be] as tightly packed as possible — and while the Bale is making [undecipherable] Whiskey or Spirits of any kind should be sprinkled among [undecipherable] which will have a tendency to prevent the Worm from Brea[ding] [I a]m not particularly acquainted with the rout by which M^r [undecipherable: Price?] transported his Peltries to Savannah — it will perhaps be necessary for you to examine into the matter and regulate any defect which may appear in the modes of Conveyance — One of the principle Matters to be attended to in the transportation of Peltries is — that they [underline: are kept perfectly dry,] and free from damp, particularly in Summer. I refer you, Sir, for further instruction relative to the business of the Factory to my several Letters to you Predecesor (M^r Price) — I wish you to forward a precise List of the Goods which the Factory stands in need of as soon as you receive this Letter — I am, Sir Your most Obed^t Servant J W Harris Keeper Mil[itary] Sto[res] United St[ates]