[December 4^th 1797 The Secretary of War— rec'd [same] day Ans^d 12^th February 1798 Enclosing a return of persons entitled to land rec'd from the Executive of the State of Virginia, and requesting the same may be examined in this office.] [Letter from the Secretary of War dated 4^th Dec. 97 ans: 12^th [Feb]ry 1798] [M^r William Simmons Accountant for the War Department] Sir The paper herewith transmitted, was furnished by the Executive of Virginia as containing a true return of the Officers and Soldiers in the line of that State on continental establishment, who by the laws thereof are entitled to Bounty Lands— Errors having been discovered in the said return— I think it improper to rely on it, as the [undecipherable] for signing the certificates necessary, previous to Patents, having the great Seal— To the Records and papers in your Office recourse must therefore be had, to furnish satisfactory guides— of this Request you will cause a careful examination to be had, strictly comparing the same with the Virginia return— and noting on the latter opposite each name— The period of [undecipherable] when in this particular— your documents differ from the Virginia return— Your H^ble Serv^t James McHenry 4: December 1797— M^r William Simmons Accountant for the War Department.