Extract from my Letter of the 15^th Inst.^t to the Secretary of War — " On the Subject of Compensation for my own services, I can only say — " With respect to a Salary — I conceive, that what Government would consent to allow for my services, would not be sufficient, for the maintenance of my family — and I am utterly at a loss, to name a Stipend that might be allowed and at the same time, an adequate Compensation — if my whole time and attention must be [underline: Devoted] to this object — " With respect to a Commission — If my agency consisted of [underline: Purchases only], a Commission thereon of Two and One half per Centum would be sufficient: And if the amount was considerable, perhaps less would be an equivalent for my trouble: But to attend to, and transact what I have done, every day since my appointment, my Commission ought to be [underline: Five P^r Centum] — The Purchasing, being the least part of the duties of my agency, which has taken the whole of my time and superintendance; so much, that I have been obliged to commit the management of my Commercial business, almost wholly to my [undecipherable]. It is a fact, which cannot escape my observation, that if the Agent for the Navy Department in this City, receives only One & a half per Centum on his Purchases, it would amount to more than a Commission of Five P^r Centum on the Sum of my disbursements — And, I presume, you will see, that the Degree of trouble and atten[tion] is in no respect similar, or in proportion — My Commercial business must naturally suffer, if my Public employment takes up my time entirely — It has been worth to m[e] at least Seven to Eight Thousand Dollars P^r Year, and if I had only to make Purchases for Government, I need not be deranged, but operate simply, as an extensive Commission business — But if my Public Agency is of a Nature, to require my absence from the Seat of my own immediate Concerns, almost constantly, it involves much consideration, and, I candidly declare myself incompetent, to add further on the Subject — I prefer submitting these Premises, to your own reflection, and Judgment, and have no doubt, but, you will name a Compensation to my satisfaction ! [Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. B.P.O. 401810.]