[Fort Wolcott 15 July 98 from Cap^t Littlefield No. 3 [undecipherable] acknowledged Dec. 22 [undecipherable] Ans. [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] 18 July William Simmons Esq^r Accountant War [undecipherable] Philadelphia Free Fort Wolcott 15^th July 1798 Sir Your Letter of the 27^th Ultimo in Answer to mine of the 24^th from West Point I have just received. you ask by what authority I inlisted the men, and what evidence there is of their being qualified to serve agreeably to the Recruiting instructions — In Answer to the first question I give the Secretary of War as my authority. The second is fully answered on the [underline: face of the] inlistment. I have had three years proof of their fidelity and in order to secure the men to myself (as I then supposed) I was induced to advance the whole of their bounty. When the accountant thinks proper to return me the money I shall be willing to receive it. I am Sir your very obt. Serv^t Wm Littlefield Cap^t Artill^t & Engineers William Simmons Esq^r Ac^nt War Department