[172.] informing him of the State of the Office, and that as early as possible his accounts would be examined and finally adj[usted] I shall lay your letter before the accountant on his arri[val] here for his personal reply — Sam &c P. Hagner Pr. Cl[er]k Cap^t James Stille Accountant's Office West Point City of Washington June 26 Sir I have received your letter dated the 19^th Ins[t] with its enclosure — On examining the records of this Offic[e] find that Ethan Winchester late a Private in Cap^t Baton's [Co.] is returned for a balance of pay due him from 1 Nov^r. 1795 to 17 February 1796. the date of his death amounting to [four]teen dollars & [undecipherable]/100 — before a payment thereof can be made to the claimant it is necessary that evidence be produced that he is the brother & legal heir of the aforesaid Soldier deceased, & that he died without issue — Sam &c P. Hagner Pr. Clerk M^r William Chancellor June 26. 1800 Philad^a Sir M^r Simmons being absent it is my duty to acknowledge the rec^t of your letter dated the 23^d Inst. with the acc^t current & vouchers therein inclosed — When the papers & Books of this Office are in a state to admit of examining your acc^ts no time will be lost in adjusting them for entry — Sam &c P. Hagner Pr. Cl[er]k