Dwight Foster Esq^r Accountants Office Chairman Committee of Claims December 4. 1797 Sir In answer to the questions stated to me this day with Respect to the Claim of Captain Lewis I have to inform you that Captain Thomas Lewis applied at this Office at Sundry times previous to the death of General Wayne for the adjustment of a Claim for services as an extra Aid deCamp which I refused to Settle not conceiving myself authorized by law. — First the law allowed General Wayne but two Aid deCamps one of whom he employed as Secretary to him while he acted as Commissioner for treating with the Western Indians for which he will be allowed a compensation of two dollars per day in addition to his pay and other emoluments as a Captain in the line together with the additional pay & as an Aid deCamp, all of which the United States are bound to pay, in consequence of an opinion given by the Attorney General (altho it has not been usual to allow an Officer pay in two Capacities or for Extra Service other than what was fixed by law) Thomas Lewis was at the time he was appointed a third Aid deCamp, a Captain in the Service of the United States, his pay and emoluments as a Captain has been paid to him; — I was therefore of opinion that any claim he might have for his services, as an extra Aid deCamp Should be Submitted to Congress, who alone are competent to direct the allowance. I am &c W. Simmons Act. ——