[1018. From Gen'l 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 on 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, here 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 it not being present the pay must be considered as on account, this however not to preclude all possible accuracy in the Settlements. It is fortunate Lieutenant [undecipherable] is present as he will be adequate to the Examination of the muster & Pay rolls & of returning 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 Contractors 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 [undecipherable: probable reading "seem"] to be higher 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 shall write immediately to the President of the United States and request his orders on certain conditional Statements relative to the proportion of troops which may probably be necessary to retain on the upper parts of the Ohio. It may be early in Autumn to descend the Ohio, after the alternate 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