[Secretary of War] [undecipherable] [State.] L D Aug: 28^th 1795 Sir In reply to your letter of this [undecipherable: probable reading "Instant"] I have the honour to [strikethrough: undecipherable] that in my opinion, it is expedient, for the account of the War Dep.^t to [strikethrough: up] receive & adjust quarterly the accounts of the Superintendent of Military Stores & Supplies, for the [strikethrough: undecipherable] compensation [of?] [undecipherable] of his Clerks — And also to open accounts, with [the?] [strikethrough: undecipherable] subordinate Store keepers at the different Posts, for their compensations, the pay of Clerks, [allowances?] & other incidentals in the ordnance Dep.^t — Monies [can,] if necessary be advanced [on?] Account the expenditure of which may be exhibited quarterly. It has always appeared to me that the [strikethrough: undecipherable] [strikethrough: undecipherable] distributions [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [general?] — of the expenditures for the War Dep.^t intended by the Law, was this, — That the Treasury was to take order from the S[ec?] of the War, for the purchase of [underline: Stores] & [underline: Supplies]; and that the War Department was, through its [organs?] the Accountant [of?] [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] [Treasurer?] [Treasurer?] — due to the [undecipherable] settlement & payment of all services & contingencies. — In respect to the accounts for services & contingencies, this [duty?] [undecipherable] of the Treasury, cannot, regularly [appear?] be performed, except in advancing money to the Treasurer & in the adjustments, when the [undecipherable] quarterly with the accounts I am [satisfied?] that in all cases in [which?] the Accountant is to make [settlements?], it will be best, If this arrangement is adopted, the Accounts will be able to exhibit to you the course of all transactions at the different Stores & the expenditure at each [undecipherable] from which much advantage will arise. — The Superintendent of Military Stores, will also be disencumbered from the trouble of pecuniary transactions, & will have more time to [undecipherable], in arranging the accounts of Stores & Supplies, which is [strikethrough: undecipherable] in my opinion a [point?] of primary importance. If you coincide with these sentiments I will immediately place the form requisite for Mr. Harris's, [undecipherable] at your disposal, with the [Treasurer?]. I am [The Secy of War]