Elizabeth Town 31^st March 1798 Sir, I received yours of the 24^th & 27^th both on the 28^th inst. in that of the 21^st you say there is no law which will authorize the payment of money in lieu of rations to a noncommissioned Officer or Private, I know of none except the one passed in 92 still remains in force. This seems to be hard upon Michael Laflesh as all his rations fell due at this place, and the greater part of them at a time when there was no Contractor here. If it is not in your power to pay him the money for them I will thank you to point out to me some way, by which he may obtain his just due, for it certainly is so, as much as his Pay— I am Sir Your Most Obed^t Ser. Horatio G Dayton Lieu^t. A & D D William Simmons Esq. [Free] [William Simmons Esq. Accountant Philadelphia] [Elizabeth Town Lieu^t. H. G. Dayton Lieu^t dat. 31^st March 98 Rec^d 2 April ans^d 3^d]