[Cap^t Abm^l R. Ellery] [N^o 2 Nass^t Street] [New York] Accountants Office May 1^st 1800 Sir Your letter dated the 29 Ult^o is received and on enquiry I find the amounts therein allowed to be out the Office of the Secretary of War, but no expenses of them has been made to me by him. From the nature of the accounts I think it proper to inform you that I do not conceive myself authorised to admit the charges which are made for allowances to Officers for doing duty in the Dep^t but Office over & above the allowances granted by law to those Officers according to their respective ranks in the army, until some principled therefor shall be established to govern in the rate by which authority shall be established for making such allowances to Officers I cannot Consistent to admit them should they be reported to wait for Settlement — Sam & [initials] Nath^l F. Fosdick Collector Portland M^e May 2^nd 1800 Sir I received your letter dated the 29 Ult^o enclosing the receipt of Brev^t Wade; however for merely Certificates of Him, which will be entered on the Books of the Office. Sam & [initials]