[Brown, [Matth?], Quartermaster, 1796] [Recd. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 1796] [Wm. Simmons Esqr., [undecipherable], Philadelphia] [Free [?] Brown] [Post Office] Rome April 1^st 1797— Wm. Simmons Esqr. Sir I rec'd your dispatches and call for the western troops in due season - with them I dispatched an express to Oswego a distance of about seventy miles. You wrote me the express would be paid by the Commanding Officer at the garrison in being absent the express was not paid. I have been absent this winter - on my return I rec'd the enclosed. I will not say any thing as to the charge - but to do justice to the express I must say he undertook the voige when no other person would - it was then imprudent to venture one person alone thro' the wood at that inclement season of the year. The snow being deep & they obliged to go on snow-shoes the whole distance in nearly - it was a dangerous & fatiguing tour & to induce men to go I told them he would be liberally rewarded. The [undecipherable: probable reading "packages"] were delivered safe as you have probably heard before this - Shall be obliged to you for your answer on the subject with what you may think proper to give him as he is pressing me every day on the subject. I am & is with respect yours Obt & very humble st Matthew Brown Q.M.— [Enclosure] Dear Sir in Conformity to your Request and Agreement with me with Respect to the [Express?] Mail I would inform you that I delivered the same at the following Expense (Viz) Myself twelve days at four Dollars [per] Day a man to assist me at twelve Shillings [per] Day the Aggregate being sixty six Dollars [which?] is agreeable to Contract.— as you was the Person [undecipherable: probable reading "vested"] with Power to [undecipherable: probable reading "transact"] the Business with me I know of no other Person to Apply to for my Pay. If the money is to be drawn from the War Office at Philadelphia be [undecipherable] to [receive?] my Pay I wish you to see the Amount forwarded as quick as [possible?] [so] that it may be [had?] before the Mail [undecipherable] to you if it is necessary that the Amount [should] be any [otherwise?] authenticated than what is here [explained?] in order that the money should be drawn from the Office [undecipherable] let me know the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] that [thereby?] the business may be done [hastily?] and as quick as [can] be conveniently be I am [ever?] your friend and [Humble Servant?] [undecipherable] James [Cook?] Dost Matthew Brown. Rome April 18, [17]97