Near Downings Town 15^th Oct^r 1797 Sir I have signed the other day and transmitted to M^r Lewis a requisition on the Secretary of the Treasury for, I think, twenty thousand Dollars. This I suppose will procure for M^r Freeman his demand on the Bank. If however any obstacle should prevent his receiving it, you will be pleased to inform him that I shall furnish him with the sum I had ordered him when he calls here for his instructions, and to make no stay in Philadelphia in waiting till it can be regularly advanced. With respect to the pay, for the troops at Norfolk I think it will be best to continue the payments in the old channel for the present till I can make an arrangement on the subject. Yours James McHenry W^m Simmonds Esq^r