War Department, Trenton, Oct: 19^th 1799. Sir, I enclose Copy of a letter dated the 14^th instant from Major General Hamilton, relative to compensation for a Gentleman he employed in the quality of Assistant Secretary at the rate of thirty Dollars per month. His inducements to the measure which is intended to be temporary, and its operation in fact as a saving to the public, are fully stated in the letter itself. Altho' I shall inform the General it will be best in future if practicable, to avoid any mode of deriving assistance in the execution of his functions, other than in the course the law has prescribed — yet as the thing has been done, and a second Aid-de-Camp, taken from the line by reason of the extra pay and emoluments, allowed to him by law, would have exceeded the expence in this instance incurred — I think it right under all the circumstances of the case, that the pay of the Gentleman who has acted in the capacity of Assistant Secretary to Major General Hamilton should be allowed. You will please report the amount due to him, payable out of the contingencies of the Department. You will observe the General states, the Account was forwarded by him to the Paymaster General to which you will of course refer. I am Sir Your Obed: Servant, James McHenry W^m Simmons Esq^r --- Trenton 14 October 1799 Sir In consequence of the necessity of careful enquiry for a fit character previous to an appointment, I still remain with only one Aid. Of course I have not all the regular assistance which the establishment allows me but the extent of my correspondence rendered it indispensable for me to find a Substitute. I could not with propriety have drawn an Officer from the Troops without additional compensation — besides that in the situation of the Troops, hitherto, an Officer could not have been detached for the purpose, without inconvenience to his Corps, — if one could have been readily found, who would have been content to be a mere copiest and drudge. Hence I adopted the expedient of hiring a person to perform the service in quality of Assistant Secretary, at the rate of thirty dollars per month. The Government defraying this compensation will be more than indemnified by the saving of the additional emoluments of an Aid. I trust therefore, that it will be deemed proper to authorise the allowance out of the fund for extra compensations and contingencies. A charge on it is included in an account of Pay &c sent by me to the Pay— Paymaster General. If not improper, I request your sanction. If not paid by the Public, the money must be paid by me, and considering that, as yet, I have neither had Quarters, Servants, nor till the beginning of this month, fuel, it would be rather hard to be at this expence for the benefit of the Public. with great respect I have the honour to be Sir your ob'd Serv^t (signed) A Hamilton The Secretary of War.