The Sec.^t of War. Accountant's Office Jan.^y 14.^th 1797 Sir In consequence of your referring to me the Petition of Capt. Jonas Fauché which was referred to you by an Order of the House of Representatives of the 21.^st Dec.^t 1796) I have reconsidered the Claim of the Militia of the State of Georgia, and am still of opinion that the services performed by Captain Fauché as stated in his petition were unauthorized by the General Government and should not be allowed as a charge against the United States without the interposition of Congress. that altho' the letter of 20. Nov. 1794 does in some measure authorize a continuance of the Troops that were ordered by the letter from the late Sec.^y of War under date from the Sec.^y of the 25 Sept. 1794 to be discharged; yet the Secretary by subsequent communications did not conceive them authorized and mentioned from time to time that he would lay the subject before the President. It may here not be improper to remark that this Troop was an addition to a Troop of 100 Horse & 100 Foot which were duly authorized, Mustered and Paid to a large amount by the Agent of the War Department in Georgia That among the Troops so authorized and paid was Capt. Fauché's Troop of Horse for the following periods. — Viz^t from 10 June to 19 July 1792 — — 844.67 from 20 Oct.^r 1792 to 6 Feb.^y 1793 — 3080.60 from 26 July 1794 to 31^st Oct.^r 1794 the time of their discharge p. Letter, of Sec.^y of War dated 25 Sept. 1794 — 6715.55 I am therefore clearly of opinion that any Claim that Capt. Fauché can have against the United States for services in the intervening time cannot be authorized, and should it hereafter be determined that the services of himself and Troop subsequent to the 31.^st Oct. 1794 is to be allowed; and paid by the General Government, it will be necessary that there should be an appropriation, therefor. I am &c. W.^m Simmons Acct.