West point, February 10^th 1796. Sir, I have the honor to transmit the demand of Abraham Sikes to Andrew Swanson, Privates in the corps of Artillerists & Engineers, for part of Bounty due to them. you will charge the Sums claimed for part of Bounty due to them. you will charge the same claimed as due in the muster Rolle for the month of January, for the examination of the accountant of the War Department, and for the final order to be ordered on by the Secretary of War, if found due to Said Soldiers. I have also the honor to transmit to you an order of Segt. Daniel Moore, whose discharge is announced to me by order of the Sect. of War, for the Stoppage on his pay due, of the Value of one Sergeant first War, for the Stoppage on his pay due, of the Value of one Sergeant first War. I wish you would maturely consider before you transmit your answer that you are the agent of the corps of Art^ts & Eng^rs & that you are acting under my appointment, and under my authority as Lieut. Col. Comt. of the said corps, & that any Step against the duty of Regimental Pay Master, would force me to take away the privilege of that assumed power, which might clash with the Military Subordination of an officer towards his Superior — I am with Esteem Sir your obed^t [M^r Freeman Lieut. & Pay Master to the corps of Artt. &Eng^rs] F.O.4.y.S. Brig. Rochefontaine D. Col. Comt. P.S. you will please to call on me before you send the Muster & Pay Roll of the Regiment, for the month of January for my Examination, & for my Signature. you had a Mistaken Idea the other day when you told me that the Muster & Pay Rolls were to remain with you as vouchers for you — they are the Property of the Regiment and not that of [undecipherable] you will therefore lodge them with me in coming here to examine the Muster & Pay Rolls. I express to you my Sorrow that I have not been here from the formation of the corps, I would have explained many parts of your Duty which you are yet utterly unacquainted with, and I would have prevented Several wrong Ideas which you are tenderly attached to, & which are diametrically opposed to Military [undecipherable]. Brig. R. [written to the him: Permafton & M^r Feb^ry 13, 1796] [send Rochefontaine] [willn to the him:]