[179] is the usual compensations made by the United States for similar services to what was allowed to the Pay master of the District of the [undecipherable: probable reading Class] of [undecipherable: probable reading Serjeant] Maryland, New Jersey, on the like occasion. In reply to which I have to inform you, that in all cases where Services have been rendered to the United States and the compensation not fixed by law, the Secretary of War, after being apprised of the necessary information as to the nature of the accounts and value of the services rendered decides on the questions of compensation to be allowed. What allowance therefore will be made to M^r [undecipherable: probable reading Aisles] cannot now be ascertained or fixed as the nature and value of the services to be rendered cannot be known until he settles his accounts upon the principles already pointed out to him. The allowances which have been made to the pay masters who have settled their accounts will not be considered to govern in the case of M^r [undecipherable: probable reading Aisles] unless the services are of a similar nature & an equal extent. These officers have attended to and settled the accounts of each person who received public monies from them thereof & examined the receipts & acts of each officer, balance stated acc^t transmitted & deposited any balances remaining unapplied to the United States thereby executing the duties an agent app^d & making them of a laborious and responsible nature — Secry W.C. M^r Robert [undecipherable: probable reading Aisles] Contractor Wilmington [undecipherable: probable reading Delaware] No. January 20^th 1800 Your account & vouchers for supplies to the Troops at Wilmington [Del.] in Oct. Nov. & Dec. 1799 amounting p^r your statement to $1007. 34 has been examined & the following deductions made therefrom to wit—