[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] War Department 12^th April 1799. Sir, A letter to me dated the 18^th instant, from the accountant of the Department of War, of which I enclose a copy, will inform you of the situation in which Captain Charles Hyde [undecipherable], with respect to unsettled accounts, on very large sums of money, entrusted to him as Regimental Paymaster, to the [undecipherable] Regiment of Infantry, in the Service of the United States. By "the Act for the better organizing of the Troops of the United States, and for other purposes" passed the 3^d of March, all the officers, who had the rank of Captain, can [strikethrough: Captain [undecipherable]] act, as regimental Paymasters; his functions there are in that capacity, must henceforth cease and determine. It appears to me evident [undecipherable] me very, that you neither [undecipherable] Hyde [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with his [undecipherable] money, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to settle his accounts — and that it would perhaps be most proper, to direct him to repair to a seat of Government, in order to settle ment, directly with the Principal Accountant of the War Department. I remain in with great respect your obedient servant. James M[undecipherable]y Major General A. Hamilton.