War Department 13 Dec.^r 1799 Sir The letters from the comptroller of the Treasury to me, the dates of which you sent me in your note of yesterday, expressing a wish to have the perusal, or certified copies of the same, relate entirely to information I had requested of, and submissions I had made to that officer. It will be concieved that my official communications with the comptroller do generally, if not always relate to the fiscal concerns of the department of war, more particularly to the forms, and modes of accounting for monies received or applied. These letters did so, and refer several things to my direction, which multiplied, and varied business, of the utmost importance have prevented my attention to. When I can take an opportu: :nity, to consider with the deliberation they merit, the communications in the letters from the comptroller, and to act upon them. by giving such directions to you, or any other of the officers in the war Department as they suggest, and appear to me proper — I shall communicate such parts of these letters, to you or them, as may appear necessary for explanation. I am Sir Your most Ob[undecipherable] James McHenry [Docket on cover: 19 December 1799 / War Dep[artmen]t James [McHenry] / is only to alter, the requiring / Copy of his Comptroller letter[s] / to Mr [undecipherable] of War — in [undecipherable] / that 1793 and [undecipherable] prepared / be at [undecipherable] present] [Address panel: William Simmons Esq / War Accountant] W.^m Simmons Esq