The Hon^ble Secretary of War          Accountants Office Sir                                                   Decemb^er 11^th 1797. The act of Congress of the 1^st July 1797 providing a Naval Armament " directs that the pay, to be allowed to the Petty Officers, midshipmen, Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, and marines shall be fixed by the President of the United States" As accounts have been & will likely continue ^{to be payments} to this Office for the pay of the Crews of the Frigates. I have to request that you will be pleased to furnish me with a list of the sums that have been deemed proper to be allowed to the different grades above mentioned as well as any instructions which have been issued relative thereto to govern me in the settlement of those accounts — I am Y^rs W Simmons Acct^t --- Nicholas Fish                              Accountants Office Supervisor New York                 December 12^th 1797. Sir The Treasurer of the United States will remit you Ninety three Dollars & fourteen cents which Sum you will be pleased to pay to Ensign M^r p. Booton at New Brunswick New Jersey, taking the necessary receipts holding himself accountable being [undecipherable] for the Pay of himself and recruits up to 30 November 97. inclusive. I am Y^rs W Simmons Acct^t