[Administrative notation: Colchester, Conn^t 1796] [Chas Watrous] [N^o 23] [Can: 26.] M^r William Simmons Acct: Dep^t: War — Philadelphia [Docket endorsement: Watrous / [undecipherable] / Colch: / Conn: / [undecipherable] / 1797] Colchester Connecticut Dec. 13^th 1797 Sir, I have received your letter of Nov. 30^th and agreeably to your direction have forwarded inclosed my account with the United States as well as I could ascertain it. I have not the certificate from the Pay Master to what time I have been paid. I have mentioned the subsistence &c due me for your satisfaction and as I could not ascertain the prices of the rations at the different times & places where they became due and the form of an account of Subsistence I concluded to state it as in the account — I hope there will now be nothing more necessary to the payment of my draft. If Indulgence can be granted me until the 1^st April next I will then wait on the Secretary of War to receive his orders and settle my account with the United States to your satisfaction. Your compliance will save me considerable trouble and expence and oblige Sir your humble servant Charles Watrous &Mat[e] M^r William Simmons Acct. Dep^t. War.