May 10th 1800 Mr. Joseph Williams Pay master Store Keeper Springfield MS Sir I have received your letter of the 29th ulto and have noted its contents, - There will be no impropriety in permitting the Husbands to sign for their wives, when so expressed for services performed at the armory, but in all other cases the vouchers must be complete, so that payments must be made, either to the invididuals themselves or to their written order. For the convenience of absent armourers they might leave duplicate orders on you for their Pay one of which will be a necessary voucher to accompany the charge in your accounts; the other may be retained for your own security. [page] 137. Should it so happen that any of the armourers do not receive their pay before you close your quarterly accounts, the amount so due must be deducted from the Pay rolls & the same charged when paid, altho’ it is expedient & proper that their pay should be settled before your accounts are made up - no reference to this office for payment can be permitted; & I presume that the mode I have suggested will answer every purpose. I am &c WS