N^o 1 [a Copy] Statement by M^r Peter Hagner, Principal Clerk in the Accountants Office, of a conversation which passed on the 20^th February 1797. between Cap^t Samuel Vance & the Accountant of the Departm^t of War, [19 41] Cap^t Vance and M^r Simmons had some conversation relative to the claim of a Soldier for Clothing. Cap^t Vance asked M^r Simmons what answer he should give to the Soldier relative, to the Claim M^r Simmons observed that the original papers which had been presented some time ago to the Sec^y of War and to which there were some objections to the settlement there — must first be produced, and that the papers he now presented were insufficient — Captain Vance then said that either he — M^r Simmons or Cap^t. Vance must be a villain and that the insinuation relative to the papers produced was a rascally fib. M^r Simmons retorted, and observed that he Cap^t Vance had grossly insulted him in the execution of the duties of his Office, and he should make a proper representation thereof, and requested the Gentlemen present to note what passed. Several other epithets such as rascal &c. passed between them. February 20^th 1797 [undecipherable] (Signed) Peter Hagner