that his salary would be 1000 Dollars p annum & 4 rations p day or the value thereof to be computed at the contract price at the principal frontier post — no claim for rations has been ever exhibited. Notwithstanding if he has not drawn them nor received payment in lieu thereof from the United States through any of its agents he continues entitled to compensation therefor from the 29 Aug^th 1796. (the day the allowance was granted) to the 23 February 1799, the date of his resignation and which is all that, in my opinion, he can equitably have a claim to. As I have been so unfortunate as to differ with the Secretary of War in opinion on several accounts similar to this one under consideration, and the claimants having in consequence been dissatisfied with my decisions, I have been thus particular in offering my objections to this claim, under the hope that the same may be submitted to some other authority, and I informed to what extent I am authorized in adhering to my opinion, in like cases — W.S. Ex Sec^y of War. Accountants Office March 12^th 1802 I certify that there is due to William Smith contractor at Springfields Armory the sum of Fifty three dollars 80 99/100 being a balance for rations & fuel issued to the Officers & Armorers at Springfields Armoury, (mass.) in Oct. Nov. & Dec. 1799. which sum is to be transmitted to Jon^s Jackson Supervisor Boston, to be by him paid to the said Mr Smith — W.S. D^rs 53. 99 The Sec^y of War