War Department, Trenton, October 25^th 1799. Sir, As Secretary of the Department of War, a great constituent branch of the Government of the United States, I deem it incumbent upon me, not only to perform my particular duties, to the best of my judgement and abilities but to prevent if practicable that kind of conduct in Officers connected with the Department, which has a direct tendency, to embarrass its administration, and destroy the subordination essential to the due execution of the public business. Under such impressions, I pray the liberty, to make the following respectful representation, and to present for your information, the enclosed copies of letters. In consequence of your letter dated the 30^th August last referring to me, a complaint made to you, by a certain Hugh McAllister, a citizen, that the usual reward of five Dollars, had been refused to him, for apprehending and delivering up to a military Officer, a Deserter from Captain Miller's company of Infantry; and conveying your orders, that I should enquire and satisfy myself, that justice is done in the case, and also of a letter, I received from Major General Hamilton dated the 30^th ultimo, stating that enquiry had been made of him, by the Commandants of the several Regiments, respecting the construction of the last resolution in the Appendix to the Articles of War, that they wished to know whether it gives a reward to parties of Soldiers who may apprehend Deserters, and requesting my opinion on the subject. I addressed the letter N^o 1 dated the 1^st instant to the Accountant of the War Department. Considering that a question arose out of the case referred, and that the Major General had proposed me directly, both which would ultimately rest on the construction which might be given by the Comptroller to the last Resolution in the Appendix to the Articles of War, which it was very expedient should be known, I requested the Accountant to consult with the Comptroller