Materials purchased in April & may 1799 for repairing barracks, on Castle William Island, which were rejected on Settlement made the 7^th of August last; they having been purchased without the approbation of The Secretary of War, but now admitted in consequence of orders from Gen^l. Hamilton & approved by The Secretary of War — Sam H W.S. M^r Edmund Winchester Esq^r late Contractor Boston — Accountants Office Sir April 2^nd 1800 I have received your letter of the 18 Ult^o inclosing four vouchers for materials purchased in April & may last for repairing the barracks on Castle William Island (which were rejected on settlement made the 7^th Aug^t on account of their being purchased without the approbation of the Secretary of War, but now admitted in consequence of orders from Gen^l. Hamilton and sanctioned by the Secretary of War,) amounting to three hundred & thirty two dollars & 64/100, which leaves a balance in your favor of Eighty nine dollars & 44/100, which sum you will receive from Jon^a. Jackson Supervisor of Mass^t. upon granting him the necessary receipts — Sam H W.S. The Sec^y. of War April the 3^rd. 1800 Sir The object of my letter to The Secretary of War, dated the 1 Inst^t. on the subject of the compensation of Clerks in my Office I intended should convey the idea, that as the Salaries of those in his Office, has been encreased; that the Clerks in my Office expected a like indulgence; and that I considered it my duty to make such representations, as might tend to the attainment of that object. — under this impression particularly as relates to the Chief Clerk in my Office I have to state that the law authorizing me to appoint one at the same salary of those employed in the other Departments; I always conceived an authority to place him on an equal salary with those in the other Departments; and for the last Year I took the allowance made the Chief Clerk in your office, as my guide in the allowance to him, — that should no further provision be made for my Office his Salary for the present Year cannot be equal to that of last Year? — I therefore hope that the Secretary of War will cause such additional representation to be made as will tend to have the appropriations now before Congress extended, so as to enable me to place my Clerks on an equal footing with those in his Office, and to retain those now employed — Sam H W.S. Cap^tn Staats Morris Baltimore — Accountants Office Sir April 2^nd. 1800 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 Lieu^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