[To Israel Whelen Esq^r Philad^a] Accountants Office November 13 1800 Sir Your letter of the 6^th with the packages of accounts came duly to hand. The time which will necessarily be taken up in arranging my papers will prevent my immediate reply to the several observations contained in your letter. The unfortunate accident which happened on Saturday last you have no doubt heard of. My papers have been fortunately very generally Saved, but those of the Secretary of War were very generally if not altogether destroyed. Attention shall in due time be had to your accounts, and you will be informed of the result of my examination. I am &c [undecipherable] November 13^th 1800 John Wilkins Jun^r D. M. Gl. Pittsburg Sir Your letter dated the 31^st ult^o with the accompanying accounts were duly received. The unfortunate accident which occured on Saturday last and of which you will no doubt hear of before the receipt of this, has prevented my attention to your letter before. My papers have been very generally Saved as they were below Stairs, and were removed before the fire communicated to that part of the building. Those of the Sec^y of War were however all or nearly so, destroyed. A principle is now fixed by which I shall be governed in the settlement of your accounts and as soon as the hurry and confusions is at an end they shall be taken up & decided upon without delay. I am &c W.S. (November 14 1800) David Henley Esq^r Knoxville Tennessee Sir Your letter of the 29 Oct^r I have received and also the copy of your Waste Book. The unfortunate accident which occured last Saturday night in the House in which the War office was held having taken fire and consumed many of the papers belonging thereto, has put us in much confusion. My papers fortunately have been very generally Saved - they having been removed before the fire communicated to my appartments. but those of the Secretary of War are very generally consumed. It will necessarily take some time to arrange and fix the papers but this will not prevent my attention to your accounts when they can possibly be settled. Many vouchers are required, and many statements from you will be necessary however to a settlement. No vouchers have yet been forwarded of the payments made to Mr. Chandler; all the muster & Pay Roles are necessary to a settlement. You will also recollect that all Officers and others to whom you have made advances of Public monies must be called upon to render their accounts to you for settlement, and any balances in their hands refunded for which you will give the necessary receipts