hired the services of Mr. X for clerical work vs. hired Mr. X to do clerical work

In a letter stating that I paid a self-employed person to work for me, Can I write that "I hired the services of Mr. X to do some clerical work"? Or do I have to write that "I hired Mr. X to do some work"? I prefer not to write that I hired him. Is there a difference? Can services be hired?

Thanks for any insight on this. I just discovered this site.