Edward Carrington Esq^r Accountant's Office Sup^t — Virginia Nov.^r 20^th 1796 Sir I rec^d your letters of the 21^st Inst^t — On the one enclosing the draft of W^m Graves, I have to observe that before payment can be made, he must state his account from the commencement of his services, and credit such sums, as he has received on account & of whom — when I receive this Statement, an examination will take place, and the Balance remitted through your hands as you direct. He commences his pay on the 1^st April 1796; the object I have in view is to know how & when he received his Settlement previous to that day. The account of William Rose, I have deemed admissible as you have stated the circumstances relating thereto; & a Warrant has accordingly issued for the amount thereof, being forty Dollars ⁵¹/100 which sum you are requested to pay him & forward his Receipt therefor. As respects apprehending deserters, There is a regulation existing here to allow a premium of ten Dollars for apprehending each; that is, when they are taken by persons, not in pay of the United States; for instance an Officer or Soldier is never allowed the Premium; His Expenses, if he has occurred any extra, are generally allowed. If therefore any person has a claim of this nature, you may inform them, that if they produce the necessary Proof of [undecipherable: probable reading: attested] desertion & their apprehending him, the account will be paid at this Office to the Claimant or his Attorney on the principles above stated. I am &c W^m Simmons Acct