Lemuel Benton Esqr-. Department of War

                                               Accountants' Office
                         Sir                      February 19th 1796
                              I find out examination of the petition and papers

relative to the claim of Josiah Long as a Soldier in the 4th. South Carolina Regiment, that it cannot be settled for the two reasons. Viz.

1st That the Claim does not appear to have been filed 431

agreeably to the act of Congress 27th March 1792 therefor must be considered as barred.

2nly That there is no certificate produced of his being a Soldier and of the time of his discharge, the certificate alluded to in the petition Sent forward by Col. Belkinan was relative to the Claim of Joseph Long who was a Soldier in the same Regiment I have particularly examined the musters and find that there was two persons of the name of Long in the 4th Regiment one named Joseph and the other Josiah so that there is no mistake in the name as is represented - I therefore take the liberty of returning the petition & papers yo you.— I am Sir (indecipherable) William Simmons