Officer commanding a separate Post is intitled to the double rations abovementioned and if pattern of owner) that the Officer claiming the same should exhibit satisfactory proof, that he was commandant, within the purview of the said act, for the time claimed. You will therefore be pleased to furnish me with the necessary information to enable me to decide on the present case. I am &^c Major Constant Freeman Fort Johnson Accountants Office October 8^th 1799 Sir On examination of the accounts of William Craig, Contractor at Charleston S. C. it appears that Cap^t Mahone & yourself have each drawn double rations for the Month of June last as Commandant at Fort Johnson — The act of the 3^d march 1797 says "that to each officer while commanding a separate Post, there shall be allowed him the number of Rations, to which they would otherwise be intitled"— It is therefore understood that the Secretary himself, the Officer commanding a separate Post is intitled to the double rations abovementioned and if pattern of owner) that the Officer claiming the same should exhibit satisfactory proof, that he was Commandant within the purview of the said act, for the time claimed. You will therefore be pleased to furnish me with the necessary information to enable me to decide on the present case. I am &^c W L