Concerning the renting of houses for public officials
Document 1800Stoddert is preparing to leave his office in Philadelphia for the summer and is arranging to pay $200 out of public expenses for renting a house elsewhere.
Navy Department Secretary of War Ben Stoddart 29 May 1800 Secy of the Navy [illegible] proposes I should pay 200 to Mr French at Public expense. Navy Dept. 29 May 1800 Dr Sir I must have my office in the City - I have indeed taken steps for that purpose. I should suppose Genl [& Mrs?] Lee would be glad to take the House of Mr. French - perhaps not to pay so high a rent. The best way [to set?] clear of this business will probably be, to pay 200 Drs at Public expense & to offer the House to Mrs. Lee for the remainder. He will probably be at the City, soon after the 1st Jun. I am [illegible] Ben Stoddert Jas McHenry.
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