commanding seperate posts (by which is meant a place where Troops are stationed for the defence of a particular part of the continent) and not to Officers recruiting, the amount of rations which have been overdrawn you will therefore settle with the Contractors for in any subsequent settlements which may take place after the receipt of this letter & forward a certificate from them certifying that it has been done to exonerate you from the charge at this Office. — When the receipt roll is compleated you will enclose the same to me, and be carefull where the men are not able to write their names to have a respectable witness to their marks. Sam &c. W^m Simmons Acct^o Edward Carrington Esq^r Accountants Office Supervisor Virginia October 15^th 1797 Sir I received your letter of the 8^th Inst^o acknowledging the receipt of Three hundred eighty [strikethrough: eighty] eight dollars ¹⁰⁰— from Daniel Bedinger agent of fortifications at Norfolk. — I have now to request that you will in the most convenient mode refund that sum to the Treasurer of the United States, when the amount will be entered to your credit on the books of this Office. Sam &c. W^m Simmons Acct^o