NEW ORLEANS, May 28, 1797.
There remain in my hands the six documents relative to the
account of the last expedition which you made on the Ohio, and
which you enclosed to me in your official letter of the 9th
instant, and they are as follows:
No. 1. Account sales of the effects laden at New Madrid.
No. 2. Another of the expenses of the crew.
No. 3. Account of the expenditure of the six hundred and forty
dollars.
No. 4. Statement which shows how the merchandise has been
employed.
No. 5. Statement which shows the balances due to you, &c.
No. 6. Original invoice of J. & A. Hunt.
On account of it there will be delivered to you one thousand
dollars, that you may make preparations for your journey in the
new commission which I intrust to your care.
It is necessary to see how you can get rid of the horse with
the least possible loss, as well as to recover the debt of
Nicholas Welch, or have it recovered, for which purpose I
enclose you his obligation; and likewise the proceeds of
the merchandise, which, to the amount of three hundred and
fifty-three dollars, you delivered to Don Pedro Derbigny, in
order to give an account to the Court without these balances,
which cause trouble and appear speculations, when they are no
more than the effect of necessity, and the difficulty which
these commissions cause in places where there are no resources,
when you have to deceive the vigilance of spies.
As you finish these matters, and as soon as your present
commission is fulfilled, you will give me advice.
God preserve you many years.