which forwards be passed to your Credit on the Books of this Office I am &c William Simmons The Secretary of War Department of War Accountants Office 16^th May 1799 Sir The Claims presented by Col^o Garrard for services of Kentucky Militia have been rejected upon this among other Principals that all those being so late have come forward in the manner since my appointment. The custom before that Period as he represents it — but the consequence was, that persons having the Money have seldom or never thought of coming forward to account for the Money so received, and at this time, advances to an enormous Amount are now outstanding on the Books of the Office altho in some instances Bonds have been given for Accounting for the same — In consequence of this I thought it absolutely necessary to adopt the plan which the enclosed relates to that of requiring Powers of Attorney from each Individual and Secretary of War accordingly in his Instructions to some of the County Lieu^ts directed this plan to be pursued. — The plan is a new one, and is generally known in the Country where Militia is employed — It is not generally the Custom to give public Notice when changes of this kind take place in settling accounts but they are generally adopted as exigencies of the Cases require it — If Capt M^c Patire has paid any of the Men or M^r Gore represents; their receipts will be received as vouchers, and the Mⁿ paid accordingly so that there is no Company of his losing the