[Docket:] War Depart[ment] / January 4^th 1800 / James McHenry / 4^th January 1800 / on the subject of Cap[tain] Stoddard's Account — [Address:] The Accountant — of the War Department War Department War Department 4^th January 1800. Sir Captain Amos Stoddard has presented to me an Account against the United States for room rent from the 1^st of August 1798. to the 23^rd of August 1799 — fifty five weeks, at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents per week. He has annexed a Statement to this account; that on his arrival at Portland on the 1^st August 1798. on the recruiting service, he found no quarters for himself, the quarters provided at the Garrison not being adequate even for the men; that he was therefore obliged to procure a room in town, in which he quartered for the period mentioned. It is reasonable that when the United States, have not accommodations for Officers, at the posts where they are stationed quarters should be provided at the public expense. Captain Stoddard should therefore be allowed a reasonable sum, for the quarters, or room he was obliged to hire at Portland, and his account should be settled on the same principles with that of Lieutenant William Steel in a case of the same kind. I am Sir Your obed^t Serv^t James McHenry W^m Simmons Esq^re Accountant