War Office April 10th, 1782.

Sir,

On Captain Elliot's petition referred to me in which he requests that it may be ascertained what proportion of his travelling expences shall be borne by the public, and that money may be advanced to bear his expences to the Southern Army--

I beg leave to observe that on the 8th Ulto, he was appointed an assistant geographer to the United States with the pay of two dollars, and one ration per day. If he considered this provision as inadequate, would it not have been much better for him and the public, to have declined the office--for if after such establishments, new claims are made and admitted, it will be impossible to determine the expences of the United States.

An advance of two months pay (which he may receive in common with other officers) and his ration money will enable him to proceed to the Southward where farther provision must be made for him.1

[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 245. It was read on this day, the indorsement states. Elliot's letter is on folio 237. On this day, as the endorsement indicates, was read a letter of January 29 from the Marquis de Lafayette. It is in No. 156, folio 264.