[Endorsed: [undecipherable] Oct^r 19 / Samuel Tredwell / No. 31 / answered [undecipherable] Jan. 13 May 1799] William Simmons Esquire Accountant of the War Department Philadelphia Sir Taunton October 19 1797 Your letter of the 26 August only reached me a few days ago. The five hundred dollars which I received from the Supervisor in December 1794 has long ago been appropriated to the purpose for which it was placed in my hands as will appear from the Account & vouchers herewith Transmitted I am obliged to you Sir for the notice you have been so good as to give me in regard to the report you are required to lay before the House of Representatives for it would have been very unpleasant to me to have had my name Enrolled as a delinquent in this affair however little I might have merited it — I am very respectfully Sir Your ob: servant Sam: Tredwell