Capt^r. Prester Thornton Accountant's Office Harper's Ferry near Shepherds Town. February 27^th 1800. Virginia. Sir I find on examination of the Contractor's acct that you have drawn rations as Capt^r & Aid de camp at the rate of four ⌀/day, from the 28 May to the 28 Nov^r. 1799, &by the law you are allowed no additional rations as an aid de camp, consequently one ration ⌀/day has been overdrawn for the above period being 184 Rations at 16 cents is $29 44/100 which sum will be deducted by the Pay masters [undecipherable] on settlement of your next account. I recollect informing you by letter that aids de Camp were allowed four rations ⌀/day but it is discovered [undecipherable] that by the law of the 3 March last, the information was incorrect as by that act no additional Rations are allowed to Officers acting in that Department. Sam &c. O.M.S.