[...] James Rand                                   [...]Accountants Office New York     ✓                                      May 15^th 1797 Sir The Secretary of War has thought proper to make you an advance of Fifty two dollars, being the amount of two Months pay, which sum you will receive from Nickholas Fish Esq^r Supervisor, New York on giving him duplicate receipts, holding yourself accountable for the same. I am &c Wm Simmons Acct. --- Brig. Gen^l James Wilkinson                  Accountants Office Fort Washington    ✓                           May 19^th 1797 Sir By a letter received from C. Swan P.M.G. dated 5 March last it appears that the Regimental Paymasters refuse to render their accounts for settlement to him as has been the accustomed rule heretofore, on the plea of not receiving from him a full discharge after his examination, which he is not authorized to give. As I am in great want of the accounts for the purpose of giving information to Congress which I am called on for, and as it would be improper to take that business out of its proper channell, I have to request your interference, so as the Paymaster General will obtain them, to be forwarded here for a final examination. I am &c Wm Simmons Acct.