The Secretary of War Accountants Office Sir March 11^th 1797 On forming an estimate of the probable amount of the six Months Pay and Subsistence of the deranged Officers a list of which was furnish'd from my Office, and exclusive of those referr'd to in the N.B. thereof, I find it will amount to nearly double the sum appropriated by Congress for that object. It may therefore be proper that I should be informed before I proceed to settle either of these accounts — which of them are to be suspended for the present. As Congress have not affixed the price of the Ration to be allowed to the deranged Officers, some just principle should be adopted by which I am to be govern in the settlement of such of the accounts as you may be pleased to direct. In the Estimate above alluded to I have calculated the Ration at twenty Cents; the average price appropriated by Congress. If you Sir with me should deem this a proper allowance, you will be pleased to signify the same. I am &c. Wm. Simmons Acct. Cap^t. W^m. MacRea Accountants Office Alex^a. Virginia — March 14^th 1797 Sir By the act of Congress passed on the [undecipherable] Inst and agreeably to a list of deranged Officers which I have received from the Secretary of War — you appear to be entitled to Six Months Pay and Subsistence — If you