Knoxville t. 30 April 1800 Sir I duly received your letter of the 20 January and have delayed the answer with an hope that I should by this time have closed my public accounts, but am disappointed from their magnitude, however I have written the Honorable James M^c Henry Secretary of War, asking his leave to let me draw for the amount specified by M^r Lee for to discharge my debts, and that you might have an answer early as possible I have written to M^r Simmons the Accountant to write you from Philadelphia the Secretary's determination, which if favourable, M^r Lee will please to give up all my papers to M^r Simmons, the Note of [undecipherable] & Whitney, Jams [undecipherable] Note, and the Mortgage upon the Salt [undecipherable] Lott of ground in Alexandria. Thus Sir you must be convinced of my desire to close the business. I fully thought twelve months was sufficient time to settle all my accounts but I find it will take longer. present my Respects to M^r Lee and will write again when Receiving answers to my letters on this business — I am with Respect Your hum^ble. Servant David [undecipherable: Henley?] [Aaron Hill esquire —] [M^r Simmons after perusing this letter will please to seal and forward it. —]