Fort Norfolk September 2^nd 1797 Sir, You have had Inclosed Muster & Pay Rolls for the Month of August, which I hope on examination may be found accurat — you have also Inclosed Isaac Smiths recp^t for 40 Dollars which was omitted to be taken on the Aug^st Ro^ll for July: which was Transmitted a few days Since Col^t Carrington has written to me informing him the pay for Aug^st had come on, but that he was not authorized to pay it any but Cap^t Blackburn, and that he was likely to be blamed for Sending the pay to me for July — there must either be a want of capability in me, to discharge the duty, or a want of Confidence — I assure you Sir, that the duty of Pay master, by any is by no means desirable, or that a sum of money Should pass through my hand in which I was so Strictly entrusted — but it is hard that we should not have our pay, because Cap^t Blackburn is not here to pay it, and it is particularly hard with those Soldi^rs whose term of Service has expired, also have been waiting some time for their pay to leave it behind, for a cause so trifling — Cap^t Blackburn may not be here these three Months probably, Every Ship also not able — Col^t Carrington has wrote him that can receive the Money and disburse it as you may direct — I am very respectfully In your Ob^t Serv^t John Saunders [Address leaf: To / William Simmons Esquire / Accountant War Depart / Philadelphia] [Postal notations and administrative notes on address leaf, partially illegible]