[from Lieu^t [undecipherable] David Hull dated — 7^th April 98 recd — 10 — Ans —] William Simmons Esq Accountant War Department Philadelphia Ellis Island April 7^th 1798 Sir When I had the pleasure of an interview with you in New York you may remember I consulted you on the propriety of paying off such men as I should have occasion to detach. You did not seem to conceive any impropriety in the measure. In consequence of which I have paid a considerable part of those who were present at the Muster for January & February the wages of those months. Most of whom have since been detached. — Having permission of the Secretary of war to be absent till the month of May I am instructed to turn over the men under my command to Capt. Stoyer. But previous to doing this, in order to have my accounts the more regular, I should pay off the remainder of the Detachment, who have provided I have your authority. not been paid for those months. By this means I could close the receipt rolls & would transmit them to your office prior to my leaving New York. I would remark also that several of my last recruits have as yet received but about five Dollars p^r man for Bounty. They are very im-portunate to be made up the usual sum. But I am not enabled to pay them. I believe I am now in advance for Bounties. A remittance of fifty Dollars would enable me to settle up the Bounties due, & it is possible nay probable, that if I had money I could engage several next week, whom I should otherwise be obliged to refuse. — your very Ob^dt Serv^t S Hull William Simmons Esq^r