[Administrative notations, upper right:] War [undecipherable] / rec'd 10 July / ans'd [Postal notation:] FREE Williams Simmons Accountant Dep't. Philadelphia Governors Island Feb. 9^th 179— Sir, John Lane my waiter having two months pay due him for a considerable time oweing to his being sent from West Point with me, I herewith send a Mr. Truman's letter to me on the subjects, his mode of applying has not been complied with by me, as I supposed it more proper to apply in this way, as I am not at present commanding officer of him. Forwarding him: [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Mr. H. Simmons Esq^re [undecipherable] A & E [Address:] Lieutenant William Wilson Governors Island New York [4] West Point, January 6^th 1797. Sir, I have to apologize for inattention to John Lane by the disagreeable situation in which I found my family on my arrival in November from New York. On an examination of pay rolls I find his pay was remitted to Capt. Fleming for May 1796 and afterwards paid in a balance of account to me. The payment for April, on which I supposed John Lane had also a claim, was made by Captain [undecipherable] who had gone from West Point before my return. The easiest for Lane to have his demands settled would be by placing him on the rolls transmitted from Governors Island, for the two months arrearages of pay. Your letter I received yesterday. yours &ca Freeman Lieut. Wilson