War Department, November 21^st 1799. Sir. M^r Isaac Williams late Indian Interpreter and Temporary Deputy Superintendent in the Northwestern Territory at a Salary of five hundred dollars per Annum. States that he has incurred in the execution of his trusts certain expenses in small presents to Indians for express hire, jobs and the like. As it is impossible for any person to discharge well and to affect such an Office without expenditures, it remains only to guard the Public against impositions. I believe in all such cases much must depend on the honesty and fidelity of the Agent and whether Vouchers are or are not produced which from the circumstances under which they may be taken might be liable to be questioned, it will be necessary to require that such accounts be proved by the Oath of the Party. But this Oath should not only be in the usual form but [strikethrough: express] that the Articles or money expended were for the purposes expressed, and to carry into effect the objects of his Agency and no other. You will be pleased to follow this rule in the case of Isaac Williams and admit his account accordingly. — I am Sir, Your ob^dt. Servant, James McHenry The Accountant of the War Department.