[To William Simmons Esquire [undecipherable: probable reading Accountant] to the War Department] [Docket: Received [undecipherable] [Feb?]. 2. 1796] [undecipherable: probable reading West Point], February 1^st 1796 Sir I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20^th ultimo and its accompaniments. The Enclosures directed to Colonel [undecipherable: probable reading Macphontaine], Major Rivardi and Barney Roney have been delivered. I have requested Captain [undecipherable] Norris, now a new [undecipherable], to receive from Nicholas [undecipherable] the money in his hands for the pay of [Corps?] at [West?] Point. I have never conceived, that I have been entitled to receive pay in three capacities; and consequently have never made the claim. Your letter by removing subjects of doubt, has been very acceptable. The instructions which it contains shall meet with ready obedience; and I shall not fail to solicit your further advice when circumstances require it. I am grateful for your approbation of my conduct and receive it as a new excitement to additional exertion. The officers of this garrison have been informed of your request, that they should settle their [undecipherable: probable reading returns] and other pecuniary accounts. Captain Thompson has been for some time past very ill. Major Rivardi acknowledges your statement of his forage account to be just. I have the honour to be with respect, Sir Your very humble Servant Wm. Newman Lieut. [undecipherable] [Paymaster?] at West [Point?] William Simmons Esquire