[Jonathan Haskell Issue 30 March 1797 Recd 2 April] William Simmons Esquire Accountant to the department of War Philadelphia --- Millspur 16 miles below Marietta on the Ohio March 7^th 1797 I was much disappointed and impelled by the contents of your letter of the 8^th of January last which was received yesterday — To inform my going of the Army in December 1793 I applied to M^r Swan for a settlement of my account to you — which was forwarded to him by Joseph Howell Esq^r and settle in March 1792, (except 288 ½ to be the sum advanced to replace the public money stolen from me) he then me the account and informed me he had forwarded it to the accountant's office, but promised he would do it again with his first dispatches, why he has not done it I am at a loss to judge; I have wrote him this day in a strong express manner to send me that account in a negative — If I should not before he leaves the army before my election business, he will come to Philadelphia, when I would apply to him to elucidate the subject &c. which as you do by applying to his books. The day before I left the army I received in September 1793 I provided [undecipherable] [undecipherable] t 4^th Dorset, he calculated my pay and that [undecipherable] p^t the 1^st of October, a written account of the same — t [undecipherable] to me and by M^r Howell [undecipherable] $73 dollars which [undecipherable] from $43 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 10 [undecipherable] — a mos — it for the p [undecipherable] not in a to balance his account, but charge me with the balance; in this account against me — forwarded to M^r Swan the above appeared balanced but he charges me with 288 ½ which is advanced as before mentioned — which was depending on a petition to Congress [undecipherable] better dollars to balance the contingent money and the one months pay of the detachment, which I gave M^r Swan on the first payment I received from him in March 1792, which was apparently his M^r Swans book. I am almost positive at the accounts now stand that I never received my pay of $D^ols for the month of October 1793 as on the settlement with M^r Swan to close that year, an idea prevailed that it was paid one in advance by M^r Howell — and it I find it not entered again, but note that sum stands charged against me — this can be ascertained by examining the receipt rolls, and I desire you would accordingly. As to the 40 dollars, the difference between the receipts of Britt and Turners payments to my company was occasioned by Turners deducting money which was supposed to be left in my hands, and was not. Both Turner & Britt sent to me for the receipt rolls in equal hast when they were absent; the account of Turner I cannot find but have that of Britt; if nefurther light cannot be got this 40 Dollars must stand as a charge against me and if Congress does not see cause to grant the prayer of my petition, the 288 Dol^s & 25 cents must likewise be considered as a charge, but as for the other charges I do assure you, one was [undecipherable] with M^r Howell and with M^r Swan, which I am sure will stand in a fair light by the latter books. It has ever been my wish to have my accounts settled as [undecipherable] and I only want now for the necessary vouchers, which I expected long ago — sent you when this can be accomplished I [undecipherable] — and if I should not happen to see M^r Swan and settle with him — in the mean time there is sure no for my assistance from the public more than what I owe them — I am Sir with respect your obedient and humble Servant. Jon^th Haskell William Simmons Esq^r