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 Maryland 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 sometime ago but it was suspected of being a forged one therefore was stopped 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 the Office for the purpose of detecting the frauds. I am &c W^m Simmons --- Joshua Wentworth Esq^r Department of War— Supervisor Portsmith Accountants Office, New Hampshire June 20 1796— Sir I have this day rec^d your letter of the 13^th inst. covering Capt Stevens Rec^t for thirteen hundred thirty nine Dollars &/100 which will be passed to your Credit I am &c W^m Simmons