In my Instructions to Major Gorham I have restricted him from incurring any unavoidable expenses, he is only to See them once a year, in Meeting, w^hen his Expenses will be limited for he can do nothg without some Expense and at other times when they shall come on business to him he will regulate himself by the former practice, I have likewise restricted all the Commissarys throughout the Department and given them the best orders I could respecting their Conduct so that (unless some change happens) the Expenses of this Year will fall far short of the last which was chiefly increased by the Ilinois Treaty &c -- I have hitherto transmitted a regular Ace* half yearly of the pay due to all the -^^loers at present in the Department but sdne of them are so distant that they are obliged to take up money from Merch^s > i Traders Who draw upon me before I have rec«^ it, and shoulvi I not advance my own money,

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 851

or borrow as I have often done, the officers credit is hui 1, and he will not again be supplied when in the utmost need, for wliich reason I am entirely of opinion, that to have Cash in hand I should either be empowered to draw for certa'in Sums on the Treasury, or they to remit money for the Departm* this should in my opinion regard the officers pay &c only, as the Dibursements & occasional expenses will pass very well thro' the present Channel. If you approve of this I could wish you would recommend it to the Government as I purpose to do & I imagine if they agree to it, it will greatly facilitate the Service. -- Should the plan be laid aside, I must Indeed lay before the Gov*^ the necessity there is for my being impowered to purchase Goods in England to a certain Annual Am*^ for the annual pubhc Congress, and such expenses as may be nearly ascertained, Thto' the want of this I am necessitated to take up Goods in America in a hurry at double the Charge, which greatly inflames the public Acco*s of the Department, the Saving which I propose is worthy attention, and I flatter myself it will meet with your recommendation --