[23] [on its duty as y Cit... / demands on Muster / William Simmons esquire] [Lt. [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] War Department / [undecipherable] Philadelphia] Knoxville 12 November 1796 Sir As I understand Col. Hay had his Accounts settled at the War Office for his services as Muster Master sometime since, I must acquaint you with the reasons he did not apply to my Office. One of which was I believe, he expected that I should object to his irregular Muster Rolls, in point of time of their being forwarded; and another and more substantial one with him was my settling his accounts as I was directed by the hon^ble Secretary of War. He wrote me as thus: "I have declined settling with Col Hays for his pay as Muster Master. He was very liberally paid before, I was much governed by his own information of the quantity and extent of his services, since then they must I conceive have been greatly lessened and as I know not what they are, I have referred him to you. There is no establishment for such services. He must therefore be regulated by the value of the service performed" Since that time the services have been much less, and he has as I understand got full pay as Muster Master, and was also allowed three dollars per day for conducting Major [undecipherable: probable reading Bolton] to Philadelphia, so that he has drawn large pay for both services. I ask your opinion if it is proper that he should receive pay for both, and whether his Accounts in future should be settled in your Office or by me. In my opinion he has been paid thrice the value of his services, and I now suspect his Accounts will be offered you again, so that it becomes me to give a caution. — I wrote you sometime past for the deed for a piece of land the Barracks stands on, filed amongst my Vouchers for 1793) for it is necessary to have it recorded; if You will send it by Mr King it will be a safe opportunity I am Sir Your Hum Serv Knoxville at 12 Novem 1796 David Henley William Simmons esquire