[Addressed to: William Simmons Esquire / Secretary War Department] [Docket, rotated: [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / Oct 11^th 1798 / [undecipherable]] Governors Island October 11^th 1798 Sir I have received your letter of the 8^th Inst wherein you enquire the reason why Sam.^l Brown was not made up for pay, and why others were made up for pay, who were under Sentence of a Court Martial: The Crime and Sentence of Samuel Brown were very different from those of the others,__ At the time of making the Pay Roll, I did not know that Samuel Brown would be a Subject for pay, at the time the pay might reasonably be expected, but as his Sentence has not yet been confirmed by the President of the United States, — I think now, that his pay ought to be forwarded — The Crimes and Sentences against Henry Groome John Lewis, and Henry Gray (instead of Michael Dandy) did not affect their pay, — I only remarked in the Muster Rolls, they were confined, to distinguish them from the Men fit for Duty, and under Sentence — to distinguish them from Prisoners confined. — "There are likewise several Men whose date of Enlist=ment appear to be unknown." It is impossible for me to inform you when they deserted — but at, or before next Muster, I will endeavour to give you every intelligence in my power, vizt. when they came here, their several Sentences and the best account I can procure of the time of their defection; these, compared with the Rolls, supposed to be deposited in your Office, will enable you to inform me how they ought to be mustered in future.— I am Sir respectfully y.^r humb.^l Servant Fredc. Boyd Cap^t William Simmons Esquire Turn over, for more We have lately had the misfortune to lose our youngest Child by Death.— Mrs Frye & Miss Machey desire remembrance to your Sisters and Daughter.— I have enclosed a Number of handbills & request you will please to disperse them to the different Military Posts where you have correspondence F. Boyd