West Point, Sep^t 17^th 1795. Sir, Your favor of the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] of the 22^d of same month, enclosing your account current and an account of errors in my accounts, I received the 25^th. I have closed my account in my books accordingly to the 1^st of last month. The 1000 dollars for contingent & incidental expenses, and the 279 dollars for the pay of the soldiers here belonging to the legion, I have received, and forwarded to Col^d. [undecipherable] triplicate receipts for the same. The purchasing materials at the very lowest price for cash in hand Col^d. [undecipherable] informs me he wants for building & repairing the artillerists quarters, and the hiring the number of carpenters & masons at the most reasonable wages he also informs me he wants for the same purpose, and satisfying myself they, and the laborers earn their wages, is all that comes within my province relative to the disbursements of the public monies. I assure you I take the greatest precaution to prevent being imposed upon in what I do. I expect in a few days Col. [undecipherable] will be able to spare a number of the masons from the houses to secure what was done at Fort Putnam last year — This is [undecipherable: probable reading "specially"] necessary, to keep the money from being lost that was laid out on said fort. As soon as he can spare carpenters, I will set them at work to repair the ordnance storehouses & the powder magazines, agreeably to directions I received from the Secretary of War — these are, I have been for a number of years in a deplorable condition. There are hired & employed here 23 carpenters, 6 carpenters' apprentices & 13 masons. Of the artillerists artificers there are 29 that draw a half ration each & day for working — The chief of these I suppose would not have inlisted had they not had an aversion to working. I will pay particular attention to what you mention relative to my vouchers. There is not a voucher I have sent since I have been here but I can have properly authenticated. — You will now receive a packet of vouchers for contingent expenses with an account of them, amount 3616 dollars & 85 cents — and receipts from the detachment of the legion here for their April, May & June's pay, amount 267 dollars. My being out of public money prevents my arranging a number more of vouchers I have, in time to go by this mail. I will send them at the end of this month to make a settlement. I have requested the hon. the Secretary of War to forward to me immediately for contingent expenses at this garrison six thousand dollars. — I will thank you to let me know the general heads I am to keep my disbursements under. The business I have to transact is so complicated, I find a great difficulty to keep them even as I do at present. I am, with great respect Sir Your most obedient Humble servant, Eb. Fleming [paraph] [verso notation: Fleming / W.P. / [9-22-95?]] William Simmons Esq^r.