he cannot [be?] prevented. As the accounts now continue to remain open until [undecipherable] as adjusted, I have to request that they may be closed as early as convenient and such other means as [undecipherable] ascertained you will use your endeavours in collecting, be as [undecipherable] to close the transactions — Yours W.S. [Hon.] Dearby C[undecipherable] Commissaries Office, Dep. Coll Master [undecipherable] January 18 1801 Sir The accounts of Math: Smith for payments made for [material?] goods furnished by David Thomson & for Rooms, Inspection & & are before me. Before I can Remit to the credit of M.^r Smith the same having charged & pay the balance claimed, I must be furnished with the receipts for the monies paid by him, and those receipts must be supported with a transfer of the person to whom the money was paid. These formalities [an?] delay [undecipherable] takes place here in paying whatever balance may be found due to [undecipherable] Dam Ely W.S. The Secretary of War January 17, 1801 Sir Having your direction of the 5 Inst. in favor of the claim of [undecipherable] Saunders for repairs which [undecipherable] of room of the Commanding Officer, others have been presented for due Compensation. The present is therefore to request that the Sec.^y of War would be pleased to direct whether the [undecipherable]