Caleb Swan Esq: Pay master Gen. Sir Accountants Office March 15^th 1800 Capt. J. W. Patterson of the 12^th Reg.^t has drawn 2 Rations for each of 24 Recruits on the 6 June 1799, on separate returns, altho' entitled but to 1 Ration each. You will therefore hold him accountable for three dollars & 87/100, being the amo.^t of 24 Rations overdrawn as above, at the contract price of 16 Cents 1½ mills p Ration ~ I am &c W.S. William Crafts Esq. Charleston S. Carolina Sir March 14^th 1800 The vouchers to your account which were suspended on the last settlement, are now admitted except your charges for Commission, and your account being now adjusted, a balance is found due by you to the United States of Dollars 10,159.92, with which you remain charged on the Books of this Office: still differing from your statement, Five thousand two hundred seventy two Dollars & 00/100, which will be explained by the account of differences annexed ~ The form of an Acco^t Curr^t forwarded to you, was confined to the intended monthly exhibition of your accounts agreeably to your instructions; but when they are not forwarded immediately after the end of the month it is proper that your Acco^t Curr^t should be extended to the time when it is transmitted embracing all payments made to or by you; & thereby shewing a true state of the public funds in your hands ~ I am &c W.S. Statement of differences on settlem.^t of the acc.^t of Mr Crafts ~ Balance due The United States p his statement ........ $ 4886.7 Balance due The U.S. p^r Settlement in the Accountants Office .... 10159.92 Difference D^r 5272.85 Accounted for as follows .... Viz.^t To the amount of his drafts for $1000, $1200, $2001.48 paid but not embraced in his acc.^t being drawn after the date of his account ............. making ........... D^r 4201.48 To the amount of Commissions charged by him, suspended on last settlement; still suspended, the Secretary of War not having decided on the Compensation to be allowed D^r .... 942.1 To the amount Comm.^d charged in his present acc.^t suspended for same reason ........... 130.36 1072.37 $ 5272.85 Department of War Accountants Office March 14^th 1800 The President of the United States Accountants Office March 15^th 1800 Sir In obedience to your request of yesterday in consequence of my verbal communication to you on the subject of allowances made by the Secretary of War, I do myself the honor to hand you herewith, copies of the letters of the Secretary & my Reports on the claims of sundry persons whose accounts have been lately under consideration; the allowance of which I am of opinion is inadmissible, upon any other principles than those pointed out in my said Reports — As this opinion is opposite to that of the Secretary of War, who deems the authority vested in him competent to the allowance, I have taken the liberty to enclose to you Sir; for perusal, and request a decision thereon, which shall govern me in those cases as well as others which may occur of a like nature ~ I am &c W.S.