[Duplicate] Treasury Department May 18^th 1797 Sir, I have received your letter of April 27^th 1797 and shall pay the draught in favor of Tait & Stothart for four thousand Six hundred thirty four dollars and sixty six Cents, as advised by the Secretary of War. I must apprise you that Contracts and arrangements leading to expence are not to be undertaken without previous advice from this or the Department of War. — Contracts for [underline: supplies] must in all cases receive my ratification. —— If after you receive this letter, bills are presented to me for unauthorised objects, they will not be paid. I request you to acknowledge this letter, and to make up your accounts with the Treasury, as soon as may be, in respect to those which originate with the War Department, you will I presume receive instructions from the Secretary or Account=ant. — I am with Consideration Sir Your most Ob^t Servant Oliv Wolcott David Henley Esquire [endorsement, verso: Treasury Department / 18^th May 1797 / Oliv Wolcott / [circle stamp: 27 / NA] / David Henley Esqr / Secret Ninety Esquire / Agent for the defensive / Guerre / Knoxville / Tennessee / FREE]