The Secretary of War Accountants Office Sir October 21 1799 The Accountant of the War Department considers that under the circumstances of Capt Lewis's case he cannot report a balance due without authority from the Secretary of War, for not embracing the 400 Dollars advanced him by the Secretary in the advances of Capt Lewis. That as the Accountant is not in possession of information what the Contract price of the Rations is to be allowed, neither is he informed whether Capt Lewis has received any part of his Cloathing or Supplies on account, with which he may be chargeable. He is of opinion that a settlement should be deferred until a Statement can be had from Capt Lewis, and in the mean time if the Secretary of War conceives it proper to make him an advance on account of delay, the same will be passed in this Office. W. Simmons The Secretary of War October 30^th 1799 Sir I have received your letter dated the 19^th Instant referring to one you wrote me on the 14^th & to which I replied on the 16^th. Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 14^th I consulted with the Comptroller of the Treasury on the points you stated, & also handed him my ideas for general powers to be hung out to one of the contracts of which he approved. my intention was to have fully replied to the questions you stated, but as my reply has not been so immediate I have again consulted the Comptroller on the subject, and find as I had suggested that his