Fort Johnston 15^th August 1797 I receive your letter of the 13 July and am truly Surprised the pay role for the Months of May & June — [undecipherable] I gave him — I certainly did inclose it with the muster roll for the Same months Ser^jt Robinson and Cadet Kennedy were both present and I rode out and [undecipherable] the packet and they Remember the pay all was included — Whether they were not Accidently left in the Secretary of Wars Department, As the packet for you is always under cover to the Secretary of war with his letter and yours was not Sealed up — Whether Such Accidence might not have hapned — I was inform that the Muster and pay Rolls Should be under cover to the Secretary of War but Directed to you but not Sealcd up, that the Secretary of war might peruse them if he wished to do — Whether I am right in so doing please to inform me — I have here inclosed you a Duplicate of the pay roll that did not come to your hands and hope you will find Right I am Sir with great [undecipherable] [undecipherable] most Obligd and very Humble Sert Michaell [undecipherable] Cap:a: B: B: [Addressed to: William Simmons Esquire / Accountant / Philadelphia] [Postal notation: undecipherable]