Samuel Meredith Esq^r Treasurer of the U.S. Accountant's Office August 4^th 1798. Sir I shall be absent from this city for a short time, & during my absence it will be necessary that monies sho[uld] be paid by you as Treasurer of the United States for this Department without my signature, I write therefore on my return countersign all Warrants paid by you signed by the Secretary of War & registered in my Office evidence of which must appear by the signature of Peter Hagner Principal Clerk — Sam^l [undecipherable] W Simmons Acct.