[Jan 9^th M5] Cap^t Corps Villeuphas Providence R. I. War Ministr^y Office March 6^th 1800 Sir, On settlement of the accounts of John L. Boff Contractor at New Post, Ch it appears that having your substitution as his[?] you, you have drawn 4 additional rations a day from the 7 aff^r to 20 Dec^r 1799 as Commandant, that you have drawn 8 rations a Day for your master from the date of your acceptance to 31 December 1799 — and that from the October to the 20 Nov^r 1799 you have also drawn 1 additional a day for your Master in consequence of your command — you are however only intitled to 8 rations a day for your substitution as biptian[?], double rations being allowed to those Officers only who command separate Posts or barracks; & you are at liberty to receive 1 ration a day as the substitution of your Master provided as a distinct ration from the laws of the Army, but not otherwise, nor can be double your rations only to be only considered as a soldier, but if the matter is a Soldier & you were once intitled to double rations in consequence of your command, & are not given that he would intitle to additional rations after that Day: matters found with no amount to be added to the pro accountable for the rations which you may have considered at this barracks provided thereof, you will in the mean time inform me whether the Master in question is now & was a Soldier at the time when you commenced drawing rations for him. Your account is rajected without delay — I am Y^r [signature]