War Department, Jan^y 24^th 1800. Sir, Brigadier General McPherson has represented to me that circumstances rendered it indispensible to maintain for some time certain Detachments of Cap^t. [undecipherable: Bowmans?] [undecipherable] those composing a part of his force, on the Northampton expedition, at Taverns, and that it would neither comport with the justice of the United States nor the situation in which these Men were placed, or the particular service they were called upon to perform, were they individually to be made responsible for their maintenance during that period. Being satisfied with his representation, you will admit to the credit of the proper Officer the amount which shall appear to have been incurred in the maintenance of the Detachments aforesaid at Taverns. The General has also represented to me, that he incurred in his family a very considerable expence, which could not be avoided, by the civil Officers and citizens he was obliged to entertain at his Table, during the expedition. That his pay as Brigadier General being temporary, or co-extensive with the expedition only, cannot be considered as equivalent to his outfit and other expences, and that he thinks it proper the United States should pay at least certain incidental expences occasionally incurred at Taverns for himself &c and family. Considering the temporary Service the General was employed on, that it was of a nature which necessarily induced unusual expence, that the Rations he was entitled to could not be commensurate to these and the support of his table; and that his pay and emoluments ceased with the expedition, I think it right that the extraordinary expences he has incurred for himself and family, Guards or Guests at Taverns should be admitted to the proper account. You will therefore be pleased to admit them under the precautions usual in such cases. I am Sir, Your obed^t. Servant, James McHenry [Addressed to:] The Accountant of the War Department.