[W. Simmons Esq^r accountant of the War office Philadelphia] [Docket: [undecipherable] Commd / [undecipherable] 1797 / [undecipherable]] [Notation: [undecipherable]] Fort Mifflin Nov the 15^th 1797 Sir I received your favour of the 13^th instant and have paid the [undecipherable] of this garrison — observing to with hold the pay which you made up to [undecipherable] Edwards for the month of october untill he is tried by a Court Martial or Pardoned by the Secretary of War — James Hambleton deserted from this Frigate Where he was on guard the 12^th of August last his pay was made up for the month of July 1797 he was not present when Cap^tn Mitchell paid the troops in my presence for that month — whether he [strikethrough: had paid him at the frigate,] I do not know but may be ascertained in Cap^tn Mitchell's [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] Receipt roll — from the information I have been able to collect — he did not receive his pay for the month of July* Since that time he was not included in the pay rolls I signed To Cap^tn Mitchell's Company Book — I find Jams Hamilton Enlisted July 19^th 1796: previous to June 1797 received one years full clothing [undecipherable] one canteen. July 1797 received [undecipherable] Linnen [undecipherable] Deserted August 1797 With great respect I have the honor to be *[undecipherable] ascertained that he did receive his pay for July your most obedt and humble Serv^t [undecipherable] W^m Simmons Esq^r