[Treasury Department Comptrollers Office Sep^t 10. 1799 J^no Steele encloses the Copy of a letter to the paymaster of the troops & desires it may be made the basis of all future proceedings upon the matters therein this 5. R.] Treasury Department, Comptroller's Office, September 10. 1799.— Sir, As you have been heretofore furnished with the instructions from this office to the Paymaster of the troops, it is proper also that you should have the enclosed copy of my letter to him of the 7^th instant. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your Obd. Serv^t J^no Steele William Simmons Esq^r. Treasury Department, Comptroller's Office, September 7. 1799.— Sir, After deliberately considering the contents of your letter of the 3^d instant, I have concluded that it would not be proper to modify your instructions in such manner as to dispense with the warrant of the commanding officer in relation to the pay of the troops required by the 3^d section of the act of the 8 of May 1792. The only inconvenience to be apprehended from an adherence to the established course is the delay of a few days in transmitting and returning the papers which is more than compensated by the information thus conveyed to the commanding officer with respect to the state of the business and the security afforded thereby that the troops will receive payment in proper season. If the commanding officer with a view to obviate the inconveniencies which you apprehend, should think fit to make a temporary arrangement with the Secretary at War or any other officer at the seat of Government to do his duty in this respect, no objection will be made to it in the settlement of your accounts. This assurance is as much as can be expected from me; it rests with others to agree to the arrangement or not, as it shall appear to them to be useful and necessary or otherwise. I concur with you in opinion that advances on account, and individual settlements for pay &c should be made as seldom as possible. In practice they are irregular and troublesome; and frequently injurious to the service. On these points however the Secretary at War, as well from his general superintending authority, as from the principles established between the two departments must be considered [underline: the exclusive] Judge. When he thinks proper therefore to require [underline: in writing], either an advance to be made on account, or an individual settlement (if the service stated be within the sphere of your official duty) you are of course to follow his direction, observing at the same time to report your proceedings and the authority upon which they are founded to the Accountant with whom you will on all subjects of business be careful to preserve a respectful, and unreserved communication. — I am Sir, very respectfully, your mo^st ob^t. Serv^t. (signed) Jn^o Steele Comptroller. Caleb Swan Esq^r. Paymaster General.