[Docket: Anthony Dey Rec'd 13^th Dec Ans'd 15^th] [Address panel: Free M^r [undecipherable] Philadelphia] [Ne]wark 12^th Dec^r 1799. According to the directions which you gave me in answer to my letter on John M^cClennons business, I have with some difficulty obtained I believe the necessary information. I should have troubled you before but the men was some distance from this in New Jersey that prevented me — M^cClennon or M^cClanning was a Sergeant in Captain Ebenezer Smiths Company in Col. Henry Jacksons Reg^t of the State of Massachusetts at the time he was discharged, he was in the service pre[undecipherable] to his belonging to Smiths Comp^y but owing to a [undecipherable] assignment of the Officers to in that State he been [undecipherable] as a Sgt as I have before mentioned — it is very possible that Harry never rec^d his pay from the Office but transferred the papers over to another who may have rec^d it & which you will be able to ascertain — I am sorry to trouble you so much, but really the case of this poor old Soldier requires [strikethrough: undecipherable] from the serious the man is having served during the tour & rec^d no compensation for his services as yet — therefore I hope the consideration of affording assistance to him will be an inducement in some measure for the trouble you may have, & I am sure that is an Respect. — In expectation of receiving an answer I remain Sir with Respect Yours &c Anthy Dey. N^o 19 Cedar S^t M^r Wm Simmons [National Archives seal]