[Copy] — alluste 11 December 1800 Sir. In the absence of my son (Captain Irvine) I have taken the liberty to open your letter to him of the 6^th instant; I can give no other reasons for his not furnishing you according to promise, as you say, with reasons for his Company drawing an over proportion of fuel, than a continued severe indisposition, untill of late, he has got some better, but it has still been deemed proper by his Physicians for him to pass two or three months of this winter in a Southern climate; he has accordingly gone to Charleston — He will return to his Company at Fort Jay near New York as soon as I learn he has returned there, I will forward your letter to him, and I doubt not he will pay pointed attention to the subject matter of it. In the mean time I understand from sundry respectable persons here, among them the Physicians who attended his men in sickness, and the public Officer who had charge of the Barracks and other Buildings, that the windows were not glased, not only so but in all respects not fit to be inhabited, at that time, they have since been repaired, all which will if necessary or required, be amply Certified — M^r. Wolstonecroft in fact Commanded the Company, the Captain not being able to attend to it. I am surprised he has not represented or stated the facts, it is in my opinion in all respects incumbent on him, decidedly his duty, but I hope the circumstance, has not been [made] known to him. The Captain never drew any wood for his own use I presume it will be no more than just to give him credit for that, if on the final adjustment of his Account he should be charged with the surpluss drawn for his company, but I presume this state of the case will have sufficient weight with you to suspend the matter still a little longer, I do not ask it a Day longer than his return to the Company, then he must attend to it. If you can close the accounts with the Certificates mentioned, and will take the trouble to inform me you acquire them I will immediately forward them — I am Sir your obed^t Ser^t. W^m Irvine [Copy] [W^m Simmons, Esq^r. Accountant War Department]