[Docket: Jno H [undecipherable] for at War 175 May 15^th 1793] [Three X marks] War Department Accountants Office May 15. 1793 Sir The accounts presented by the execu- tive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for Pay rations &c of the militia called out for the defence of the Counties of Montgomery, Wythe, Russell &c in 1792 are now under examination and will be closed in a few days. the pay charged by the State exceeds that allowed by the United States. but as far as the examination is made I am led to believe that the amount will be about 27.000 dollars. the United States have already advanced 6362. dollars 42 Cents, I therefore conclude no danger can arise on paying the draft presented you — The informal manner of presenting copies of accounts in lieu of the originals is so great a deviation from established principles that I have to beseech you will impress on the executive of the State the im- propriety of the measure and endeavor to procure in the [underline: present] instance the originals as I cannot be justified in Settling accounts on such evidence unless where the originals lost — in this instance I have taken the advice of the Comptroller of the United States who has verbally consented that the accounts may be acted upon but still wishes the originals may be procured, he has directed me in all future cases to suspend a settlement — I have further to request that the muster Rolls of Lieut Willoughby and M^r Gavoch detachment. also the Rufsee County. militia may be forwarded as I cannot ascertain the term of service with that precision required — I also wish you to inform the Governor that in no one instance in the present case have the County Lieuts complied with your instructions relative to mustering the Scouts, if they do not act agreeably to directions the accounts for the future cannot pass — I am Sir Your Ob^t Servant, (Signed) Jo. Howell The Honorable Secretary of War