War Department, Trenton, October 25^th 1794. Sir, I have just received your letter of the 20^th instant, respecting an unauthorized expence incurred by Col. Bentley, in having the Hats for the Men of his Regiment. It is entirely by no means agreeable to approve the admission of new Charges where incurred under the circumstances stated to me, and yet when it is considered that your instructions to Col. Bentley were perhaps not given in as explicit a manner as might be expected, [strikethrough: and] the charge the extra expence in great part, and informed you of it afterwards when [undecipherable] to accomplish the purpose. I feel considerable reluctance, to acceed to it, in any instance. I trust every means in your power will be employed to prevent impositions in future for henceforth, whose expenditures are incurred without proper authority. [undecipherable] to pay the amount in the present instance but desire it may be understood, I am actuated solely by the purity of the motives of Colonel Bentley, and peculiar circumstances — but will not permit the allowance to be mentioned hereafter as a precedent. I am Sir, with great respect, Your Ob^t Servant, James McHenry Major General Alexander Hamilton.