[Nehemiah Freeman receiv'd 26 Aug Ans^d 27:] [William [undecipherable] Account[undecipherable] War De[undecipherable]] [Counci[undecipherable] Admin[undecipherable]] West Point Head Quarters August 21. 1795 Sir, I am ordered to inclose to you a Copy of the proceedings of the Council of Administration, held this day at West Point. I have the honour to be Proceedings of the Council of Administration of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, held at West Point on the twenty first of August, 1795.— Present Major Lewis Toufard — President Captain William Littlefield, Oldest Captain Lieutenant Nehemiah Freeman, T. Paymaster Major J.J.U. Rivardi also attended by the request of the Council. The Council was this day assembled at the desire of each member. Major Rivarde. had informed them, that reports had been circulated to their disadvantage at the office of the Accountant to the War Department. They met to review their former proceedings; to consider, what circumstances could have given birth to those rumours; and to endeavour to find out a clue, by which they might discover the authors, and be enabled to justify their own conduct. The Council cannot, after mature deliberation, acknowledge any of their proceedings reprehensible; and they do not know in what manner they have deserved censure from the Accountant of the War Department. They would represent to the Accountant, that they have regularly by letters, written by the Temporary Paymaster under their direction, informed him of every transaction, relative to their office; and requested from him such information, as they thought would tend to the advantage of the Corps, and to the performance of duties enjoined on them by instructions from Colonel Rochefontaine, approved by the Secretary of War. The Council have not had it in their power to misapply any monies, entrusted to their care, as none have been sent to them, but what were appropriated, before they reached the regimental chest. They have by recits, as well as by their account Current with the United States, transmitted from hence on the fourth instant, proved that the monies have been applied as ordered, with the exception of the balance then in the chest of Two Hundred and twenty Dollars and Forty Cents, due to officers and men absent on duty, and to men who had run away. A further sum for the use of the Corps, amounting to Three Thousand and Ninety four Dollars and Eighteen Cents arrived yesterday from New York; was placed like the others in the chest; and like the others [strikethrough: undecipherable] accounted for with all convenient dispatch. The Council can have no desire to interfere in the smallest degree with duties which do not concern them; they have no wish, but the wish to obey their instructions, and to move, in all respects, in perfect harmony with the Accountant to the War Department. The Council feel hurt, that there should have gone to Philadelphia misrepresentations, proceeding from ignorance; or originating from malice. They have reason to suppose, that some person of this garrison has written letters either to the Accountant, or to some of the Gentlemen in his office, with the sole purpose of injuring their reputation. If their suspicions be just, they request the authors name be sent them, that he might either establish the proofs of his accusation, or otherwise meet with the punishment calumny deserves. The Council request the Accountant to direct in what manner the money is to be disposed of, which arises from the pay of the men present at the garrison on the last day of the month, but who desert before their pay reaches West Point. Could this be remitted back to Philadelphia, or paid to the accountant's order, no balance would remain in the regimental chest; and no responsibility required further from the Council, than in the safe guarding of duplicate muster and receit rolls. Lewis Tousard President [undecipherable] Cap^t Nh. Freeman T. Paymaster