[434] an examination will be made, but it appears to me very improper that an Officer should keep a soldier so great a length of time from his duty without reporting it to the Secretary of War. Sam &c. W^m Simmons Acct^s Cap^t Staats Morris Accountants Offic[e] Fort M^cHenry, Balt^e October 19^th 1797 Sir I received your letter of the 17^th Instant covering a recruiting account, and vouchers shall be placed under examination, and the result communicated to you. — Sam &c. W^m Simmons Acct^s Charles Brown Esq^r Accountants Offic[e] George Town S^o Carolina October 19^th 1797 Sir I received your letter of the 20^th ulto with your account current and vouchers and return agreeably to your request the printers bill after crediting you with $2.8.0 paid for the account of Fortifications. The accounts will be placed under examination and the result communicated to you, that part of your letter relative to the Fortifications will be laid before the Secretary of War. Sam &c. Wm Simmons Acct^s