[Extract of a letter to Major [undecipherable] dated June 25^th 1799.] "The affair of extra pay to the Soldiers is nevertheless attended with some difficulty. The nature of the Services rendered by them not having been specified, it is not easy for me to judge of the propriety of the allowance. But as a guide in future cases I ought to say, that the General Rule of our Service is against the allowance of extra pay, except to those who not having been enlisted as Artificers or Artisans are employed in those capacities — Or those who are devoted to some [underline: constant] employment different from the ordinary duties of Soldiers. As to occasional employment in procuring Wood, Fuel, Straw or in other Services by rotation, relative to the accommodation of the Troops and their Officers, this is considered as incidental to the duty of Soldiers without giving claim to extra compensation. A small allowance of Rum is the usual douceur in such cases. "But considering that you had precedent for what you did — that there seems to have been an implied sanction from the Sec^y of War — that the strength of your Garrison was greatly disproportioned to the labours, probably necessary for keeping the works in some degree of preservation and finally that it is of importance to maintain the faith of a Commanding Officer acting with good intentions — I have given my opinion explicitly that the expence which has been incurred in this particular shou^d be defrayed. "If the principles which I have stated have not governed in time past, you will endeavor to conform to them in future; or you will mention to me with precision and detail what deviations from the peculiar [strikethrough: situ]ation of the Post are in your judgement indispensable."