There was never any regular formation of the department of Geographer to the Army, but to the best of my recollection Mr Erskine’s pay was to have been four dollars per day and that of his Assistants two dollars per day—Chain Bearers half a dollar per day and an allowance for the contingent expences of travelling when out of reach of the Magazine of the Army and for the purchase of the Instruments and the necessaries of office. I see, in the heads of a plan which Mr Erskine has drawn up for the Committee of Arrangement last summer, he mentions that three dollars per day were to have been allowed to some of his principal Assistants. I therefore make no doubt but it was to have been so, and that it may have escaped my Memory. If any charge of that nature is made in his Account—it is to be allowed.

I do not remember that any allowance was to be made for saddle Horses for Mr Erskine’s personal use, except finding them forage—The department was to be supplied with a Waggon & Horses—I mention this, because Mr de Witt tells me Mr Erskine has made a charge to the public of a saddle Horse of his own which died while he was in the service. I am &a.