[Knoxville Oct. 13. 179[undecipherable] Ince] [William Simmons Esq^r Accountant of the Department Philadelphia] [Thornton [undecipherable] Col. Rec^d 5^th January Ans^d [undecipherable] January] Sir Knoxville Dec 9 179[undecipherable] I received your letter of the 17^th Oct. 97 not before the 4^th Instant — which will Immediately account for my late answer. In deed the time allowed had I received the Information on the day would have been Impossible from the following reasons, 1^st the period of time, with being Called upon, and not having heard or Known of the mode of final Settlement, 2^d my Situation as a Sub^t Officer in the army, prevented my retaining Such papers, for Instant Settlement as might be necessary — and lastly I never had it in Anticipation, that I Should be Called upon — of course, my papers is much Scattered, One of my trunks being in Detroit & the Other In Georgia — Such as I have are in One or the Other of them. I again repeat that my Situation in the army may Very easy — and [undecipherable] this Separation of my property. However Sir as all the money I received has been paid agreeable to the Orders of Genl. Morgan, from the pay rolls — in your Office you can Immediately make or have my account made out — My Health [strikethrough: not permitting me] rendering me incapable at present of procuring Such documents as would be necessary on my part. as Soon as my health will permit I hope to obtain Leave from Col. Butler to proceed to Phile to Settle all my Public accounts — I Should be Glad to hear from you again I am Sir with Respect Y^r Ob^t Serv^t Paulm Dermott lieu^t Dragoons