[The Accountant of the War department] [Wishes to know if he has the necessary papers to effect a settlement of claims arising exploration in the Indian Country — See letter from dec^r 1800 and his reply on file of June] [War Department December 6, 1798. James McHenry no^t from ev] War Department 6^th Decem^r. 1798 Sir, An Act of Congress, passed the 8^th May last, directs "that the proper Accounting Officers, be, and they are "hereby, authorized, to settle the accounts of the Mili "tia, who served on an expedition, commanded "by Major James Ore, against the lower Cherokee Indi "ans, in the year one thousand seven hundred, and "ninety four; and that the same be paid out of "any monies in the Treasury, not otherwise appro "priated." If you have the necessary papers, for a settlement of the accounts, contemplated by the law, it will be proper that you should, im- mediately proceed, to the execution of the law; if you have not, and they are in his possession, that you should instruct the Agent of the War Department in Tennessee, relative to the settle ment. If you can proceed to the settlement, you will report the sum due, and I shall direct the Agent, to draw upon me for the amount. I am Sir your obedient servant James McHenry William Simmons Esq^r. Acc^ts War Department.