Captⁿ Staats Morris Accountants Office     Baltimore April 2^d 1800         Sir         I have received your letter dated the 29 ^th ult^o inclosing the account of Philip Schwartzhoner for the rent of a room hired for Lieut^t House.         Regulations lately issued by The Secretary of War direct the allowance of Barracks or Quarters to the Officers of the Army. By these regulations it appears that each regimental Staff is entitled to one room; thus for the quantum of room charged is correct, but in my Instructions directory in the reimbursement to Officers for room hire it is confined to a reasonable allowance to an officer who has heretofore been obliged to hire quarters when none were provided at any Post or Garrison where he was stationed. - To enable me therefore to make any allowance, two things must be established 1^st the necessity of hiring quarters, none being provided at the Garrison, & the 2^d that the charge is a reasonable one, - As to the first it will rest with Lieut^t House to shew by proper Certificate and as to the 2^d, a Certificate should be produced signed by two respectable persons in Baltimore of the price of a room suitable for the business in which M^r House is engaged, - I accordingly return you the account with the observation that in my opinion the Sum exceeds a reasonable allowance, and if quarters are not now provided they ought to be at the Post or Garrison at which M^r House is Stationed ~         The regulations to which I have referred I inclose you a sett of herewith, by which you will be governed hereafter. - The Contractor M^r O'Hara has been furnished with them, and he no doubt, will direct those Contractors acting under him to conform to them agreeably to Instructions. -                                 Sam H^o                                 M.S.