[West Point 19. Jany. 1784 L^t Col Roberts Troup Col [undecipherable] artillery [undecipherable] [Copy]] West Point Jany 19^th 1784 Sir — Your letter of the 29^th Ulto claiming commutation has been received — I do not doubt the authenticity of your commission; but if the being in possession of such commission was to be considered as the only necessary proof of a persons rights, you must be sensible that hundreds would obtain commutation, when Congress never meant to be included in the benefits of the 21 [undecipherable] — And [undecipherable] if we have retrospect to the resolution of [undecipherable] of Philadelphia 1776 it must be supposed that thereupon Congress appoint any military officer to [undecipherable] the execution of a civil office, his former service in favor, in case of his acceptance of the latter, was superseded, and the matter precluded from any future benefit of the [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] of his acceptance of the latter appointment [undecipherable] and had the priviledge granted [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] acceptance — the office of Secretary to the Treasury, your [undecipherable] — as an Officer in the Army your have now, been considered as an Officer in the Army, since your resignation of that office. I am therefore under the disagreeable necessity of suspending my own compliance with your demand until I can find sufficient authority to justify myself in making the allowance — In the mean hope I am Sir your mo— [signature] [& Congrd also holds up this same below in an answer given to Governor Jefferson May 18 of August 1781 —] [L H [undecipherable] Col Troup] [29163]