[27 Nov. 1799 The President. Indian expenditures] War Department 27^th Nov. 1799 Sir I have received for the use of the Indian Department, by from Francis Hunters 350 Dollars, and from Samuel Letits [undecipherable] 1320 dollars, which sums have been applied in the manner following viz 1^st To the Indians who were convened at Philadelphia in 1796 & 1797, in proportions regulated by the influence of the persons and importance of the purposes intended to be effected 1170 Dollars. 2^d To Benjamin Hawkins Esq Temporary Principal Superintendant of the Southern Indians 500 Dollars to be applied by him in the Creek nation among those of its chiefs, who had staid at home, and might otherwise [undecipherable] discontented [undecipherable] what they might hear [undecipherable] of presents the others had received at the seat of government. The three hundred and fifty dollars of the above received from Francis Hunters having been settled for in the usual way by a charge against the Indian Department, no order is necessary respecting this sum. To obtain a credit for the remainder or 1320 dollars, the expenditure being of a nature not proper to be made public, it is requested that agreeably to the mode pointed out by the act of the 9^th of Febry 1793, and a regulation given on the 28 Dec^r 1797, the President would be pleased to direct a certificate to be made, to serve in lieu of the vouchers ordinarily required in the settlement of accounts. I have furthermore to request an authority to grant a certificate of a similar nature, to exonerate James [undecipherable] from a charge of 500 dollars which stands against him in the books of the Accountant, the object and expenditure of which is explained in the inclosed letter from him to me, dated the 9^th of March 1797. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir, Your most ob & hble S^t James McHenry The President of the United States