[No 18. From Genl. Knox. Secy of War] War department September 14^th 1792. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 7^th instant. Sub Legionary Paymasters will be essential. but will not one be sufficient, without descending to battalion Paymasters? Money scattered into many hands increases the risque. — I believe it to be your opinion and it is certainly mine, that the Sub Legionary paymaster be a supernumerary officer, having the rank however of a Lieutenant or Ensign, and to be progressive in his Sub Legion. The Sub legionary Quarter master ought to be of the same description. I shall submit this idea to the President of the United States and let you know the result. You will observe by the duplicate of mine to you of the 11^th instant herein enclosed that the pay will, I hope be received by the time you receive this letter — It did not leave the town until this Day. The first of September was fixed for the period to which the accounts of the Army should be accurately adjusted according to the principles contained in the Paymasters instructions — but he not being present, the pay must be considered as an account this however not to preclude all possible accuracy in the settlements. It is fortunate Lieutenant Brite is present as he will be adequate to the Examination of the muster & pay Rolls & of reporting to you the sums to be paid. It is a matter of great importance that all the accounts be settled accurately up to the first of September, as the foundation of the future Monthly payments intended to be made. The Contractor's Solicitude to know how long the troops will continue on the upper parts of the Ohio seems to be well founded. The orders you have given them seem to be proper under the present circumstances — excepting that it is not probable you will have in the course of the present month the two thousand mentioned. I will write immediately to the President of the United States and request his orders on certain conditional statements relatively to the proportion of troops which may probably be necessary to retain on the upper parts of the Ohio. It may be easy [undecipherable: during?] in Autumn to descend the Ohio, after the ultimate measures shall be decided upon — It is however proper that the Quarter master should be making arrangements for Scantling, boards, Bricks &c for the covering of the troops, at the places which shall be decided upon for their Stations; and when the Presidents' directions upon this subject shall be received they shall be transmitted to you. I Enclose you the copy of a letter from the President of the United States of the 7^th instant relative to your plan for carrying on the war. I shall state to him the recommendations of Mr Jones, Mr. Dunn & Mr. Butter — the two former I know; but I shall thank you to inform me who is Mr. Butter. I am persuaded that the President — who is highly anxious on the subject will be well pleased with your exertions to discipline the troops. Every thing depends on that point — the Public interest, the national Character & your personal reputation. — aware of the Consequences no doubt can be entertained that you will continue unremittingly to pursue in every proper way, the accomplishment of so indispensible a Quatification of your troops. The sentences of the Courts Martial you have confirmed, seemed absolutely necessary — hereafter, it is to be hoped there may be less call for the punishment of death. The branding however, is a punishment upon which some doubts may be entertained as to its legality. Uncommon punishments not sanctioned by law should be admitted with caution, although less severe than those authorised by the articles of war. I Enclose you [underline: copies] of Letters from Brigadier General Wilkinson of the 5^th 6^th of August, and also from Mr. Belli of the 10^th of August. Capt. Eaton has arrived at New Brunswick — He is ordered to this City to be joined with all the recruits from Brunswick & Trenton — the recruits in this City will be added to this detachment and will be put under the Command of Captain Pierce of the artillery — the whole detachment may amount to about one hundred & fifty exclusively of thirteen Deserters most of whom will probably be tried & punished before they march. Lieutenant Massey is on the march with thirty recruits for the artillery — and a detachment of twenty recruits for Winstons troop is also on the march from the head of Elk. I have the honor to be Sir with great Esteem your hum^d Serv^t H Knox. Major Gen^l Wayne