[Addressed to: William Simmons Esq^r] [Endorsement, rotated: Milledger, Cortiz &. William Simmons Esq^r. Eng^r H &. M S^r.] [Endorsement: Jany 15 — Acco^ts — No 2 — 28 — Alex^r Gibson Cap^t & Adj^t — Am^t P Simms Day] [Docket: accounts from pay, recruiting] Haunton January 15^th 1798 Sir While Ensign Larkin J. Dickinson. was recruiting under my command, I advanced him [strikethrough: public] money for the recruiting Service, which was not accounted for when he marched my Recruits from Haunton — by this evenings post I have received information, that he was wounded by Cap^t Bird (in a duel) on the 26^th ultimo. and died on the evening of the 29^th — I presume that there is some pay due him, and that a debt of this kind ought to be paid in preference to any other— can you, or will you, be pleased to detain it, and inform me in what Manner I must act to recover it. he had no visible property in this part of the country that I know of, and unless I get it settled in your hands I will lose it I am Sir. with the Greatest respect Y^r M^r Simmons Esq^r &c Alex^r Gibson Cap^t & Adj^t