the question therein stated appears to arise entirely from upon the construction of the engagement of the Department of War, I forbear to give any definite opinion on the point; conceiving that the question which you have put, can with more precision be answered by the present Secretary of War; it may be material for you to state the manner in which the accounts were opened in your books, for the purpose of fixing the meaning of the word expenditures in the letter of the late secretary of war;