Coll. Ebenezer Sproat Accountants Office Marietta Sept^r 16. 1796 Sir I received your letter of the 21^st ulto enclosing your Receipt as Administrator on the Estate of Joseph Rogers as Scout in the service of the United States in the year 1790 & the receipts of Edward Henderson for one hundred twenty eight Dollars p 33/100 for Services as a Scout in the same year. On the first Rec^t I have to observe that pay masters or Agents for paying troops are never suffered to administer on the Estates of deceased Soldiers - the established rule is that when a Soldier or Officer in the Service of the United States dies his pay, if he has any due him, is returned into this Office and his name recorded in the Balances due from the United States and is paid only to his legal Heirs. This circumstance may prevent my passing the amount thereof to your credit at present. The large bundle of Vouchers you mention to have sent some time ago are received but they are in such disorder that it is in a manner impossible to select any that are proper. There are but very few of them which answer for the periods of Service of Captain Mills, L^t Casey & Ens^r Gray's Pay Rolls, more perfect vouchers must be forwarded before the amount can be entered to your credit and payment made of the Spy Service now depending. The certificate of Judge Putnam I have received. As the final examination of the accounts does not rest in this Office I will take the opinion of the Heads of Departments and if they are of opinion that the amount should be passed to your Credit it shall be done. I am &c. Wm Simmons Acc^t