War Office. March 13^th 1797. Sir, As the money appropriated is insufficient to pay the whole of those officers deranged under the act of 1796, intitled to compensation under the act of 1797, it would neither be proper to make selections, and determine, which of them should receive, and which wait a further appropriation; nor yet to delay making payments, till the deficiency [strikethrough: shall be] provided for. I shall therefore grant warrants without preference to those who call till the appropriation shall be expended. With respect to the price, at which to settle for their rations — The appropriation ought not to be taken for a guide, as the contract price may, and is higher for some posts, and lower for others, than in the estimate from this office. I should think, an average reasonable price should be admitted, agreeably to the principles observed in settlements heretofore with officers, for back rations. I am, with respect, Sir, Your obed^t. Serv^t. James McHenry William Simmons Eq^r. Accountant. War department. [The letter was ans^d 15 — its answer the author in mr — Answer to the [undecipherable] they under parts of 1796 March 1797]