Caleb Swan Esq^r P. M. G. Sir Accountants Office February 2^d 1801- Your letter dated 30^th January with the accounts of Peter Marks late a Captain in the 3^d U.S. Reg^t. The Recruiting account has been examined & such of the Contingent charges as were admissible have been entered to his credit leaving a balance due the United States of D^rs 1379 9/100- The accounts for his pay & Subsistence I return to you inclosed as more proper to be Settled at your Office, from the amount of which you will deduct the aforesaid balance & furnish this office with the usual certificate to that effect- Sam^ple W.S. February 3^d 1801 The Secretary of War Sir The inclosed account of James Seagrove for rents of certain of his grounds occupied by the United States in the State of Georgia were forwarded for Settlement by his Agent Chas Ross of Philad^a. On examination it is discovered that the rent for the same property for a previous period has been allowed by the late Sec^y of War differing only in the price of the rent charged of the grounds on Point Petre, the former being 400 dollars p^r ann: and the present at 1500 dollars. The first account was handed to me by the Secretary of War accompanied by a letter directing certain Specific allowances to be made to Mr Seagrove for those rents, and altho I then represented to the Secretary that from the information I could collect the charges made were exhorbitant, the account as charged was nevertheless directed to be passed, and the amount paid to the Agent of Mr Seagrove; I have since endeavored to inform myself on the subject foreseeing that rents would be charged for those grounds for a subsequent period, and from the information I have since been furnished with, I am strengthened in the opinion that not only the former allowances were exhorbitant but that the increase rent now charged is an imposition. As I do not conceive that I am authorized to allow any part of the claim without specific authority from The Secretary of War the accounts are submitted for his decision- Sam ^le W.S.