[War Department [undecipherable] 1799 The Secretary of War a.d. same day ans[wered]] [William Simmons Esq^re War Dp^t] [Series of valuable [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — 1799 Apr 6] [CLOXCA] War Department 6^th April 1799. Sir, Major Lieutenant Threeman, has made frequent representations to me, that the settlement of his accounts, have been postponed by you, from time to time. — He has more than once presented to me, an account, said to have been started by you, for my signature. The means of presenting me with an [undecipherable], from your Office, or in the [undecipherable] accounts stated elsewhere, for my [undecipherable], besides being productive of serious inconvenience, is deemed evidently irregular, and improper, and cannot be permitted. You will in future, when any doubt, or difficulty occurs, in which my opinion, or elucidation, may be required, or useful, make the representation in person, whenever this can be done, and when it cannot personally, by letter, only your [undecipherable] Clerk. Major Threeman's expences, while acting as agent in Georgia, are to be adjusted, agreeably to his instructions, dated July 16^th 1798 — viz. "All objects, of reasonable expenditure, connected with the safety of the Public Stores, or the advancement of the Public business, will be allowed you." If the former settlement of Major Threeman's account, was made upon a different principle, it can form no precedent, for the settlement now to be made. It is true, that in my instructions, given to him at Downing town, dated the 6^th October 1797— He was informed, that the extra expences, will remain on the same footing as heretofore, and be settled, on the same principles, that governed, in the late settlement of your account as Agent." But as I would not at Downing town have recourse to your papers— no other impression was upon my mind, than that his account of extra expences, have been settled conformably to the principle laid down in his instructions of [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] before quoted.— Major Threeman, whatever may have been the principles upon which you formerly settled with him— is now to be allowed, such reasonable expences, as may appear, to have been connected, with the safety of the Public stores, or the advancement of the public business. It is proper to mention, that it was understood by me, at the time, I gave his instructions to Major Threeman at Downing town, that the person, or persons, charged by him with his business, as agent for the War Department in Georgia, during his absence, should be paid by himself— and not by the Public. I am Sir your obedient servant James McHenry William Simmons Esquire Accountant War Dptmt—