of his Returns in different places was absolutely necessary and was the best possible expense to the United States and I retain that you are not promise the necessity of it — Whatever articles are purchased by you for the Troops upon the written order of the Commanding Officer it will be necessary for you to produce the Bill & receipt of the party from whom purchased, or if the articles should be furnished from your own Stores you will then produce the Certificate of the Commanding Officer certifying that upon inquiry he finds the prices charged to be reasonable & usual — Triplicates with the acknowledgement of the receipt of the articles by the Commanding Officer will be your sufficient Vouchers — I am &^c W. S. Note. In future you will make out your acc^t up to the 1^st of some month — Cap^t James Read Fort Jay N.Y. Accountants Office Sep^t 23^d 1799 Sir On examination of the acc^t of William Lilycraft Contractor at New York it appears that you have drawn double rations as Commandant for the month of July last. The annexed Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War will enable you to judge how far you may be entitled to the double rations allowed by the 4^th Section of the act of the 3^d march 1797. & I request to be informed who was the Senior Officer commanding, agreably to the Tenor of the said letter — I am y^rs W. S. [Lieu^t Edwards has also drawn Double Rations for the same period & for the month preceding James Liberie &]