Clement Biddle Esq^r Department of War Accountants Office, June 17. 1796 D^r Sir I have received your Note of yesterday — enclosing two powers of Attorney, one from John Young, the other from William Smallwood, claiming Lands as Soldiers of the Mary lands line; I find on examination that the Lands Warrant due to John young has been issued upon a Power: (which is probable) is a false one, to Henry Purdy — This Man has been suspected of having received others — Warrants improperly and is now arrested by one of the Soldiers whose Warrant he received. A power of Attorney claiming the Land due to William Smallwood, was presented some time ago but it was suspected of being a forged one, therefore was stoped in the Office, and the Lands Warrant not Issued — The Secretary of War has requested that the Powers presented by you should also be detained in this Office for the purpose of detecting the frauds — I am y^r Wm Simmons