[Stephen Rochefontaine received d. 4^th July 1796 Ans^d 10] Westpoint February 1^st 1796. Sir I received your letter of the 23^d. ultimo — respecting the receipt I transmitted to you. I dont know what you wish to allude to in mentioning officers paid in three different capacities, it cannot be alluding to Mess^rs Foreman and McAlabn, for I dont wish to recommend them for other extrapay than that of Adjutant, one of the Second and the other of the third Battalion, both allowed by the laws of organisation. I wish to establish some kind of regulations respecting the corps which is entrusted to my care, and which is the wildest reunion of men that ever existed, without any check to their bad inclinations, the strongest mean is the Stoppages on their pay for cleanliness and keeping their cloaths in good repair; M^r Freeman observed that you had given him orders to pay very month, to every Soldier, and to let this Soldier do of his money what he pleased. I received Demands of many men respecting the 6 Dollars that are to be paid on their Joining the corps, I referred them to M^r Freeman, who informed me that application had been made to you, and that you had not granted those demands, because the officer who had recruited them had not fulfilled their accounts for recruiting with you. as the law has not contemplated that circumstance of neglect in the officer recruiting, is it possible to avoid the fulfillment of the promise under that consideration? if the law is to be executed at all events, even at the risk of the U. S. losing Money for misplaced confidence, I wish you would enable me to Stop Such claims in the corps. in two or three circumstances, M^r Freeman has told me that he was the only one accountable for the money paid to the corps, & that he might in consequence of his orders from you, dispense with lodging money transmitted to him in the Military Chest, which is under the direction of the council of Administration, as that Idea is [strikethrough: Erroneous] I did not dwell upon it, and I concluded that he misunderstood you, for how could it be that an officer whom I appoint, and whom I may destitute of his office of Pay Master, might receive orders unknown to me, and act contrary to the regulations pointed out by a Special decision of the Secretary of war, which I have the honor to transmit to you for your general by it you will see that the council of Administration has the charge of the Monies transmitted to the corps, and that it is to be lodged in the Chest & those keys; that the Pay Master is no more responsible than the two other members, and that the Pay Master is only responsible for what Sums are intrusted to him from time to time for the pay or any other expenses. I have no doubt but you will think preferable in future, to direct the Sums to be paid to the Council of Administration than to the Pay M^r who may not be a M^r Freeman, well informed & as regular in every thing he transacts as M^r Freeman — it would remove also that difficulty which feels disagreeable to him, that of giving before hand his own receipt for money which is to be received at New York by another; if he was an imprudent young man, as I have Seen many, and as it might be the case if M^r Freeman was to resign his commission, he might chuse for receiving the Public money, another location, and this law would show that a council composed of the [undecipherable: commanding] or the commissioned officers of the corps, and the Junior Captain added to the young man Pay Master, would generally make a better choice. — you will consider the advantages and inconveniences, and you will propose me your wishes on that Subject. but you will receive the letter I transmit to you, the copy of which you will find in the Books of the war office. please to Send me the return of the prices allowed to the contractors for every kind of Cloathing for the army, in order that I Should regulate the Stoppages for clothing delivered them above this allowance. D^r Rich^d Griffiths has resigned this day his commission, which I have accepted. I will Send you the receipts of Several officers for Clothing that they received, tho' not entitled to it. I am with great Esteem Sir, your ob^t Serv^t Step. Rochefontaine [Lt. Col. com^d of y^r corps of art^y & Eng^rs] [I Send a New detachment to Governors Island New York, Send me if you please the Situation of that detachment as to the pay (that number of men told) I dont mean to include in the Monthly roll the officer who does not pay Muskets, I wish you would depay.] W^m Simmons Esq^r act^g for the war dept. [Please to apply the Public funds in the Chest to the advance to be made for Several contingent expenses Such as the provisions of Paterson which he honors to be Settled by you before they are passed.]