[War Department / August 14, 1799 / James McHenry / No 2. 16^th / referring to allowances / to Capt Vance as Pay- / Master & his Deputy / to the Accountant] War Department, August 14^th 1799 Sir, I this day received your letter dated the 13^th inst. referring to a letter from me, in answer to one from you, on the subject of compensation to Captain Samuel Vance, who acted under Appointments as Deputy Pay-Master and Deputy Quarter Master General on the late expedition to Northampton Pennsylvania. There can be no doubt, that I more than alluded to, the opinion of the Attorney General of the 27^th June 1797 — for I expressly referred to it. This opinion was given deliberately, and expressed a desire, that an opportunity might be embraced to rectify a settlement made with Lieut Blues in consequence of a former erronious opinion. I consider it to be conclusive in its principle, and to establish, that whenever an Officer shall be employed in, and perform the duties of, several Offices (no law forbidding) he shall be entitled to the emoluments of each. I have informed you, that in consequence of an application from the Paymaster General respecting compensation to Capt Vance, as Deputy Paymaster, I took the compensation provided by the 15^th Section of the Act for the better organizing of the Troops of the United States and for other purposes, passed the 3^rd of March, [undecipherable] for the order, and instructed the Paymaster General accordingly, combining the case analogous, if not expressly provided for by this Section. I have also informed you, that when the Quarter Master General requested my [undecipherable] respecting the compensation it would be proper to allow the same Officer, for his Services as his Deputy — I informed him of the rate contemplated for his allowance as Paymaster, and intimated, it would be proper to have reference to and consider this allowance, when fixing the compensation for the same Officer, as Deputy Quarter Master General, but did not fix any determinate allowance, leaving it entirely with the Quarter Master General, to make such reasonable compensation to Capt Vance (having reference to the allowance mentioned to him as Paymaster) as it was usual to make to other Deputis charged with the duties in his Department; and have recommended it to you, to see, the Quarter Master General, if the compensation fixed by him, is disproportionate to the Services rendered, or greater than that normally allowed for like Services in his Department of the Army — in order that any mistake or error might be corrected. I do not discern in your last letter, any observations, shewing the compensation to Capt Vance, to be disproportionate to the Services rendered, or greater than that normally allowed for like services in the Quarter Master Department; nor do I observe any objection whatever, to the quantum of compensation allowed to him as Deputy Paymaster. It has been represented to me, that in both the capacities Capt Vance acted on the late expedition, he performed duties with intelligence and fidelity, or as fully to evince the propriety of selecting an Officer of some experience. — It is indispensable to the efficiency of an Army, and the due performance of its military functions, that the Staff and responsible Offices in the Staff be filled with Men of known integrity, discernment, industry and ability, the expenditures, notwithstanding all possible checks will be increased or daily [undecipherable], as these Officers profess, or are deficient in, the essential qualities mentioned, for it is utterly impracticable to reduce every expenditure to rule, and if practicable, in active Operations it would be often found injurious. A large Staff of expenditures must necessarily ever be confided to the honesty and judgement of the superior Staff Officers. These remarks are particularly applicable to the Quarter Master General of an Army, the Major part of the expenditures in whose Department, must always baffle every attempt at regulation, and will continually be influenced by his Character. The Gentleman who at present fills this Office, I believe to be entitled to my entire confidence; he must be the best judge of the persons qualified to discharge any trust he is obliged to repose in his Deputies or Agents, and of the value of their Services. Under these considerations I think it proper to concur in the compensation he has allowed to Captain Vance. As to the reasons which assigned to the compensation in question — I preferred the conference with the Quarter Master General, that you might inform yourself of them, you have not stated them to me — and if they were improper or illegal, in order that it ought to be shown, and any error corrected. Of a difference of opinion, existing between you and him; with respect to the construction or application of a law, the [undecipherable] he was the proper Arbiter. If on the other hand, the difference arose, extraordinarily of any law, but respected the quantum of compensation to an Agent merely, a reprimand to and would be proper; but in that case, I would have required a full statement of circumstances inducing the difference without which a reprimand is improper. After mature consideration I am disposed that the Quarter Master General [undecipherable] Captain Vance's case, in more analogous to that of a Deputy Quarter Master General of a separate Army, as provided for by the 7^th Section of the Act of the 3^rd of March last; than to that of either a division, or Brigade Quarter Master, provided for by the same Section, and I think he had good reason for so doing; for the two last descriptions of Quarter Masters are rendering distinctly for Divisions or Brigades acting with a Main Army. A definite number of them is not necessary to make an Army. Nor is every detachment or body of Troops, a Brigade, because it happens to be commanded by a Brigadier General. The Detachment or Army employed on the late expedition, was commanded by a Brigadier General; the number actually employed did not exceed a Brigade, but made greater numbers are held in readiness to act with it, and under the same Officers if circumstances had required. — It was employed if such Troops as could be had promptly, without waiting or calling for Regular Troops from a distance; the whole expedition was to partake of the nature of a campaign; that by claims of movements, it might afford to the parties engaged in Insurrection and Rebellion as little time, as possible to organize themselves. — The Troops were composed of Volunteers and Militia Cavalry, and [undecipherable] of Regular Artillery and Infantry, with a reserve in readiness to co-operate as occasion might require. There was at times a desire to [undecipherable] a Field Officer from a distance serve in the capacity of Deputy Quarter Master General — the enquiry of the case threw this duty upon a Captain — he has performed it well — he appears to be entitled to the same, or at least exactly the same compensation, that a Field Officer would have received, had he acted in the same capacity — and when the Services, as Quarter Master was disclosed, they must have been performed for Troops in almost constant exertion, they would be supposed arduous and to have required constant exertions. It is proper to observe, that Capt Vance has lately received the appointment of Deputy Pay-Master to the Western Army — that his Services are indispensible in that quarter, and the public Service injured by his attention to [undecipherable]. Whoever it is my duty to decide I am willing to do so promptly, and in writing when the case requires it; but I can never consider it proper, that public business should be arrested, or myself harrassed by unimportant written applications, or that an Officer should be detained from important and indispensible duties, to the permanent good of the Service, while a literary correspondence is carrying on, to determine whether he is, for extra duties, which can never go into precedent, from their particular nature, strictly entitled to a [strikethrough: very] few Dollars more or less, after I had authorized the Quarter Master General to fix the quantum of compensation. To act thus is not consistent with true economy; not calculated to attract respect to the Government; nor to produce satisfaction in meritorious public Servants. It would have been improper that Captain Vance should commence the exercise of his functions as Deputy Paymaster to the Western Army, involving a large pecuniary trust, previous to a full settlement for all charges against him on the Books of your Office, he is detained solely for this purpose. Whenever in future (as you have already been informed) the public Service would suffer by the detention of an Officer, or Supplies might be obstructed in consequence of a delay of settlement because objections exist to certain items in the accounts exhibited to you — it will be proper, to ascertain and close the settlement of all charges which admit of no doubt, reserving those disputed for after consideration. If this would produce some small inconvenience in your Office, it cannot weigh against the injuries to the Service, which must arise from a contrary practice. I am Sir, Your ob^dt. Servant, James McHenry William Simmons Esq^r. Accountant of the War Department.