Author's Letterbook Copy

Pay of Kentucky Militia

Discusses reasons for rejection of claims submitted by a Colonel for the pay of Kentucky militia; discusses the general plan of certifying claims for militia pay.

1796

05

16

William Simmons

James McHenry

Secretary of War

Kentucky militia

county lieutenant

Captain McIntire

Congress

Kentucky

Department of War accountant's office

claims

pay

power of attorney

money

books

bonds

1796051621955

which [undecipherable]will be proposed to your credit on the Books of this Offi[letters cut off in copy]
I am &c
William Simmons
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The Secretary of War Department of War
Accountants Off
16th May 1796
Sir
The claims presented by Colc Greenup f[letters cut off in copy]
services of Kentucky Militia have been rejected upon the same
principle that all have been which have come forward in like
manner since my appointment. The custom before that period,
as he presents it - but the consequence was, that persons receivi[letters cut off in copy]
the money have seldom or never thought of coming forward to
account for the money so received, and at this time, advancem[letters cut off in copy]
an enormous amount are Strike-through text outstanding on the Books of the
Office altho in some instances Bonds have been given for --
Accounting for the same ---- In consequence of this I thought [letters cut off in copy]
absolutely necessary to adopt the plan which he mentions, to w[letters cut off in copy]
that of requiring powers of attorney from each Individual and[letters cut off in copy]
Secretary of War accordingly in his Instructions to some of the
County Lieuts directed this plan to be pursued --This plan is [letters cut off in copy]
new one, and generally known in the Country where instution ?[letters cut off in copy]
employed -- It is not generally the Custom to give public noti[letters cut off in copy]
when changes of this kind take place in settling accounts bec[letters cut off in copy]
they are generally adopted as exigencies of the Case requiring it --
If Capt McIntire has paid any of the Money as Mr Green[letters cut off in copy]
represents; their receipts will be received as vouchers, and the Mo[letters cut off in copy]
paid accordingly so that there is no dangers of his losing the M{letters cut off in copy]
With respect to the claims of the State of Kentucky, it has been
rejected because no provision has been made by Congress to whom
applications must be made before payment can be granted ---
I am respectfully &tc
William Simmons
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr John Bryant Department of War
Springfield Accountants Office
Massachusetts -- May 17, 1796
Sir
Yours of the 12thInst is duly received [copy has cut off letters] your account arrears with the United States since which I have[copy has cut off letters] all your accounts examined and stated in which you are [copy has cut off letters] for your salary to the first inst and after deducting for January's? errors discovered on the examination thereof -- there appears [copy has cut off letters] balance in your favor of five hundred forty eight dollars and [copy has cut off letters] cents which is his pay provided to Wm Lyman Esqr agreeably to your Order by him produced
A copy of Account of Error you will receive enclosed under [copy has cut off letters] by which you will see the differences between the balance stated by you and the sum allowed

I am respectfully &tc
William Simmons
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mayor Wm Hersey Department of War
Accountants Office
May 18, 1796--
Sir
You having received the sum of three thousand two hundred and fifty five dollars & 61/100 being for the pay -- subsistence and forage of the Corps of Artillerists and Engrs. You are to proceed therewithe to West Point and deliver the same to Lieut. Nehemiah Freeman paymaster of the Corps taking duplicate receipts therefore to be accountable to this office for the due application thereof -- In case he should be absent from West Point you will then pay the amount to Capt Danl Britt Strike-through text ta[[copy has cut off letters] his rect therefore who will pay the Corps. You [undecipherable]cards [copy has cut off letters] makes it unnecessary for me to add anything on their heads --
wishing you a pleasant journey I am &c
W. Simmons