[Statement of differences in section 2^d of this acc^t of M^r Staple] Balance due The United States p^r his statement $ 4456.7 Balance due the U. S. p^r settlement in the Accountants Office 4039.92 approve Dec^r 5479.11 Accounted for as follows viz: To the amount of his drafts for $ 1000, $ 500, $ 500 as paid but not embraced in his acc^t being drawn after the date of his account making D^rs 2601.88 To the amount of commissions charged by him, suspended on last settlement; that suspended, the Secretary of War not having decided on the compensation to be allowed him 954.1 To the amount brou^t charged in his general acc^t suspended for some reason 30.74 1372.51 $ 1572.51 Department Office Accountants Office March 16^th 1796. The President of the Accountants Office United States March 13^th 1796 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 send you herewith, copies of the letters of the Secretary & my reports on the claims or sundry persons whose accounts have been lately under consideration, the allowance of which being a question is independent upon any other principles than those pointed out in my last reports — As this question is separate to that of the Secretary of War who has the authority within his lines incident to the allowance I have taken the liberty to address to you for perusal and request a decision thereon which shall govern me in these cases as well as those which may come of a like nature — James W[?]