[Schuyler's Point to received 9^th January Jn^o. S. 96.] West Point, January 2^d 1796. Sir, A demand was lately made upon the regimental chest at West Point for the advancement of fifteen dollars to purchase amputating and other chirurgical instruments. A question arose in the council of administration on the propriety of affording the sum required from the chest. The Commandant of the Corps offered, that the money remaining in my hands as due to deputies, being public property could be appropriated to public uses; that the council of administration had the power, not indeed of settling pecuniary accounts, but of inspecting into their nature, and ordering such advance of money upon them, as exigencies might demand; and that their accounts, being afterwards Subject to your examination, would obtain their final Settlement at your office. The surplus of deputies, in which money would be immediately wanted, was offered as a proof, that the Council of Administration ought to have some controul over the money in the chest, not doubly appropriated. On the other hand it was urged, that no money had, as yet, been remitted to West Point for the contingent expences of the corps; that the Temporary Paymaster had alone Signed the recits for that, which had hitherto been Sent for the pay and forage of the regiment; my account were alone responsible for its expenditure; that the money was appropriated by you to particular purposes; and that the accidental balance, which remained, by the deputies of felding in his hands, belonged to the Treasury of the United States, and could not, either by the Council of Administration, or the Temporary Paymaster, be Sent away without the previous knowledge or advice of the proper, from whom it had been received; and that you, being the officer appointed by law for the Settlement of unliquidated military accounts had directed that Similar demands Should be transmitted to your office, and that you could inform the Temporary Paymaster of this affair. Captain Troup and the Temporary Paymaster agreed in this opinion. I would be extremely Sorry, if I found by misconception, objects in the Smallest degree, the views of the Commandant, actuated alone by zeal for the Service, and well regulated policy of the Corps. I acknowledge my situation to be novel, and therefore place less dependence on my opinion, than if it had been ripened by mature judgement, or Sanctioned by long experience. Acting as Paymaster I conceive myself to be under your direction. If therefore my conduct has been reprehensible, a few lines from you will Set it right. As I have been governed by what I thought my duty, I Shall not be ashamed to confess, on conviction, my error, and promise to do better. I have the honour to be with respect, Sir, Your very humble Servant, W^m. Freeman Lieut. A^tC. Temp^s. Paymaster at West Point William Simmons Esquire