Fort Fayette 18. Aug^t 97 Sir Some time since lodgd with Major Craig an account amounting to B. 17. 19. expences incurred by me in the execu[tion] of public business, where the particular service is designated in the account transmitted to you — M^r Craig who has hitherto settled claims of a similar nature refuses an adjustment of mine unless concurred in by your particular instructions in consequence of which he has informed me, that he has written you on the Subject — I can not but conceive myself intitled to the payment of the account in question as the expences were inevitable and as economical as possible — I beg your communication on this head as soon as conveni[ent] — I am Sir very Respectfully Your Mo: Obt. Hble Svt [undecipherable] Lieut 2^d Regiment William Simmons Esquire [Address leaf: William Simmons Esquire / Acc^t War Dep^t / Philadelphia] [Paid — 21] [Post.] [Marginalia, bottom right, partially illegible: [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] 23^d Aug / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]]