[Philad. 20 May 1800] [from Wills] [No [undecipherable]] William Simmons Esq^t Accountant War Department Philadelphia [seal] N^o 22. 2 Philadelphia May 20^th 1800 William Simmons Esq^t Sir, I still flatter myself that the Accounts which have passed through my hands will upon mature consideration [strikethrough: be found] to contain nothing inconsistant with those principals of justice and Oconomy which have sanctioned the admision of similar allowances in the Quarter Master Generals settlement at the Treasury by the Auditor prior to the 1 April 1798 — I am however constrained by considerations which have equal weight on my minds to urge the propriety of your progressing at present with the scrutiny which you propose in order that I may be enabled whilst on the spot with James McHenry Esq and [strikethrough: +] yourself to render such explanations as may be demanded — In consequence of what you suggested in relation to the present engagements of the Secretary of War I have waited upon him and received information "that he is at perfect leisure to attend to any subject which may facilitate the adjustment of my accounts" if you can give them your attention there exists of course no further impediment — As the Department can never know the actual State of the Expenditures nor individuals the footing upon which they stand unless Accounts are regularly rendered and promptly adjusted, I have made it a point to furnish my Accounts as Agent of General Wilkins quarterly, and within a few days of the expiration of the Quarter to which the transactions refer, calculating upon receiving from the Account[strikethrough: ing] Officer timely notice of any thing objectionable which occurs in them in order that I may either resort for remedy to the authority which may have sanctioned what you may deem errors, or by seeing where the difficulty lies avoid them in future — You must perceive that if your investigation and decision is delayed that you will be kept ignorant of the State of Expenditures on [underline: Public Accounts] whilst my trouble and anxiety will be greatly enhanced. As correspondent reflections must have presented themselves to you on this I trust that you will afford me the accommodation of having my accounts considered before your removal from the City puts it out of my power to render you information in a way as correct and satisfactory as I could wish — I am, Sir, Your Very Obt. Able. Ser. — [undecipherable: A. Wills?] [undecipherable] D W [undecipherable]