Discusses the payment of bounties to citizens or soldiers apprehending deserters. Reports that it has been the practice of the War Department Accountant's Office to pay money to soldiers searching for deserters whether successful or not, and to also pay any soldier, group of soldiers, or citizen who brings in a deserter who has been advertised for. Explains that his rejection of Hugh McAlister's certificate for payment through this system was on the grounds of no proof being available that the individual he captured and returned was a deserter, or that any reward had been advertised for him.