Mess^rs Jos: Ruggles &c. Boston March 18^th 1800 Gentlemen On examining your vouchers for supplies &c furnished the Troops in Massachusetts, I find them generally deficient, consequently have not been able to have your accounts acted on; it is therefore necessary for the following objections to be removed before any further investigation can take place — 1^st you must obtain the orders of the Officers for the articles furnished and their receipts for the same and annex them to each voucher — 2^d In the ration returns the number of men and women must be expressed who have drawn rations — 3^d When Officers draw rations for their servants, they must certify that they are enlisted Soldiers — 4^th To all charges for room hire and quarters for Officers there must be attendant a certificate of the Officer declaring upon his honor that there were not sufficient accommodations provided at the station, & that the same were actually occupied by him so as to conform to the spirit of the following extract from the regulations adopted by the Secretary of War on that head "No compensation in money to be made in lieu of allowances of fuel, nor any compensation to be received by or paid to Officers in lieu of Quarters of Barracks" — 5^th Distinct abstracts must be Stated, one for Subsistence of the army, one for Quarter masters and one for Hospital Stores — I have herewith returned your account & vouchers that you may be enabled to state them agreeably to the foregoing Instructions and when completed you will please to forward them to this Office for adjustment — Sam &c W.S.