Fort Wayne October 31^st 1797 Sir. I have this day received your letter of the 18^th of August. 97. it gives me great inquietude when I am informed in your letter I stand charged with monies un-accounted for on the books of your office I received by order of the late Secretary of War General Knox, which will I think appear on the war office books six months advance pay, with six months subsistance, in the year 92. as Conductor of military stores at 30. dollars per month and two rations per day this money I am confident I have accounted for, my next payment after I left Philadelphia, was paid me at a place called Hobsons Choice in Cincinnati Colonel O'Hara late Quarter Master General paid me 3. months in pay, as Conductor of military Stores 12. months after I left Philadelphia, I then informed the Colonel that General Knox Secretary of War had advanced me six months pay, and my first account made out for pay in this Country did not take place untitle I had performed 12. months Service, then my account was made out for 3 months wages at 30. dollars per month and 2. rations per day, and I receipted for the money on Colonel O'Hara's books, all the money which I have received as Conductor of military stores in the western Country has been paid me by Colonel O'Hara late Quarter Master General John Bellier late deputy Quarter Master General, and Daniel Flanagan late deputy Quarter Master General, in quarterly payments, there books are upwards of 100. miles from me or perhaps in Philadelphia, I have no vouchers nor no account of the money I have received of either of these Gentlemen when 3. months pay was due me I had my account made out received my pay receipted for the same paid my debts and never took an account or memorandum of the same to keep or retain in remembrance, what monies I am indebted to your office I am totally in the dark to know how to account for, may you be pleased to state or have stated to me the account. I have too grate regard for my name and Country to do an action unworthey of either I have never in all the business I have done been so unhappy as I am at the present moment, every partical of money which I have received I gained by hard service before I touched it, and thank my God, I never received any public money onley my wages, if I have taken of this more then my due I am very sorry for it, but Sir, I assure you I am as ignorant of this transaction as an unborn infant, I will thank you to make me sencibale of what I owe your office on public account, I shall be stationed in this Garrison this winter, write me Sir if you please by night or day, I will attend to your letter, if necessary let me be ordered to Philadelphia, let any thing take place with me, I will not wrong the public, if monies is due from me I will repay it, if I can not refund the money will serve them faithfully untile the debt is paid. I am Sir your respectful humble Serv^t Sam Hanley C Ms. Stores [addressed:] Wil^m Simmons Esq^t Accomptant War Department Philadelphia [notation:] Duplicate Letter