Edw^d Carrington Esq^r supervisor Richmond V^a Accountants Office October 8^th 1799 Sir I received your letter of the 26^th Ult^o enclosing the receipt of Lieut^t Sha^s E. Prior for forty one Dollars &^c from which the necessary entries will be made on the Books of this Office. I am &^c W S. --- Francis Mentges Esq^r Philad^a October 8^th 1799 Sir Your accounts & Vouchers for expenditures on account of the Fortifications at Mud Island between 1 July & 30 Sep^t Ult^o have been examined, the amount thereof being Dollars 10,918.70 has been passed to your credit leaving a balance in your hands of Twelve Thousand three hundred twenty four Dollars & 4/100 which when posted remains charged on the books of this Office.— Several of the labourers have made their marks to the Receipt Rolls without using any Attested as is required in all cases & M^r Steel receipts for the pay of others, without any apparent authority— these are irregularities, the like must be guarded against in future— Accounts transmitted to this Office for Settlement must always be accompanied by an acct^t Curr^t shewing the sums received the amounts expended, & the balance resulting therefrom. I mention this for your government in future as your accts^ts are deficient in this particular, I enclose a copy of your acct^t Curr^t & am &^c W S.