[Docket: Hays Robert 1795 acting Muster Master] [Knoxville Jan^y 10. 179[5] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Feb: [undecipherable]] Sir Inclosed you have Robert Hays account for Monies advanced to him as Muster Master of Mero District, to amount of two hundred [undecipherable]. Mr. Hays accounts being pretty consider'd [undecipherable: salary?] not fixed, and having business at Philadelphia, I advised him to defer the whole of his payments for the Services performed as acting Muster Master to a Settlement with yourself and then if continued to have his Salary on a permanents and more certain footing . . . I have likewise recommended to the Secretary of War, to add that of Paymaster with the other appointments, for an ease to the people of Cumberland, who have been much injured by having their payments to receive at such a Distance as Knoxville, of which Mr. Hays can inform you. He will shew you his appointment that was first made by the Governor, and continued by me in November 1793, as by the instructions received by the Secretary of War, giving it in my power to appoint some person to Muster the troops. I have paid [undecipherable] the balance for transporting Capt Herr [undecipherable] from Salisbury North Carolina. — [I am inclined?] to believe that Capt. Herr is payed [undecipherable] Military Services; but in order to [regulate?] the drafts by the Governor Warrants on me more regular, have not stopt his pay from the hands of the Paymaster, not having orders [for?] to do so; but have laid a strict injunction on L[t.] Rickard not to part with a Cent of it, till we hear from you on the business. Mr. Forraget does not seem satisfied with the payment allotted him for his Services as Muster Master, but I think it enough, for he has committed many and great errors, and all his Services was of no consequence; nor do I think because he is indebted to a Store which common report says is the Governors, he is entitled to more. — I have nearly comp[undecipherable] [undecipherable] for the Militia [undecipherable], and am [undecipherable] an estimate for the last Services there performed in 1794, by a rough computation it is my opinion we shall near One hundred thousand Dollars to defray them; so that you will perceive the expenses of this territory are rapidly increasing I am respectfully Knoxville Jan^y 10. 179[5] Your Hum Ser^vt David [Henley?] Joseph Howell Esquire —