Fort Fidius 18^th February 1794 I transmitted to you on the eighteenth of last month the muster and pay rolls for the troops at this garrison up to the thirty first of August, and for those at Fort Madison to the thirty first of October of the last year; also Maria Justices voucher for the disbursement of Sixteen thousand three hundred and Sixty dollars &c. and Separate Muster and Robinson and M^cWilkeys accounts. I have since made another payment to this garrison for the months of September & October agreeable to the rolls herewith inclosed — I find on that I had estimated the twelve months pay, which I had proposed to make to the troops when, beyond the sum which would be required, in the desire I have evinced to make the annual payment; This completes twelve months pay to all the Troops in this Post — I enclose you a Statement, N^o2, of my account with the United States. I have to observe that, although the balance on hand appears to be twelve hundred and thirty seven dollars &c. that there only remains, but only Nine hundred and forty eight dollars on hand besides. I have made advances to the Indian Department and paid some contingent expences, which do not appear in any of the first months I have furnished to you — You will therefore be pleased to calculate upon the real sum. You will charge me with the sum of One hundred and ninety three dollars &c. which has been been paid to me by Sublett for stoppages made ag^t him and paid to me to his credit. I wrote to Cpt. Minniss to bring the troops below. I am very anxious that they should be collected; it is now two years since they have received any mounts. We may wish that Sublett should bring down the cavalry with Major Gaither in December, but it was not possible for him to leave his garrison at that time. The troops in this garrison being now reduced to order, with respect to their accounts as to Augm^ts, it would be very easy to keep them so. Would it be thought proper to empower me to pay them monthly, I request that you would mention this subject to the Secretary of War, and transmit me the money necessary for the purpose. I have been in hopes that Colonels have fixed and forwarded Capt Roberts account, but I have for some time past been so much occupied with Indians and their concerns, that I have not had time to attend to their business. I shall however do it the first leisure moment. You may suppose that I am anxious to hear from you, and to learn that the pay rolls &c which I have transmitted have been received and passed to my credit. I request you would give me some directions relating to the officers Subsistence — they have themselves made their arrangements with the Contractors but it would be more agreeable to them to receive it from me. I have not yet paid them any money on this account. I am with great esteem Joseph Howell Esq^r Accountant of the department of War your most humble Servant W^m Elearance [undecipherable: Allen] [Col^l Gaither to M^r Howell from Fort Fidius 18^th February 1794]