[Cover sheet addressed to: William Simmons Esq^r Accountant of War Department Philadelphia Postal notations in lower right corner: [undecipherable] David [undecipherable] 1797 date — [undecipherable] 31 Octo [undecipherable] 1 Nov answ^r — 8^do] New York Oct. 31^st 1797 Sir Notwithstanding I have had no official note respecting my account since my letter of the 11^th ultimo; yet as I am desirous that the old account should be balanced, before I am again charged with public money, which, as I am placed here on the recruiting service, I shall be liable to be soon, I forward you the enclosed receipt of Serjeant Wm. McGuire, whom I enlisted on the 7^th instant, the amount of which, according to my letter above mentioned, is the balance due the United States. I could wish my Account Current might be made out & transmitted me with this sum annexed. I am respectfully, Sir Your very Obed^t Serv^t [undecipherable: T. Bata?] L^t Art & Eng^r William Simmons Esq.