War Department William Simmons Esquire Accountant of the War Department [seal] [Docket, partially legible:] War Departmt 25^th Octo 1798 / The Secretary of War / regarding the [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] & to examine [undecipherable] the files [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] for / precedents in cases [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] under [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] — It may be / [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] / Office [undecipherable] [undecipherable] allowing / the [undecipherable] General & [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] to him if [undecipherable] / before [undecipherable] [undecipherable] / allow [undecipherable] War Department 25^th October 1798. Sir, To enable me to ascertain, what will be a proper allowance for the expences, to the Officers and others, who have attended several late Courts Martial, as Members, Witnesses &c. You will be [underline: pleased] to examine the files of your Office, for precedents in like cases, and state the same to me, together with the allowance per diem, which in your opinion would be reasonable and proper. It may be expedient, that you should confer with the Comptroller, on the subject. I am Sir your obedient servant, James McHenry William Simmons Esq^r. Accountant War Department.