[Copy] West Point, February 11^th 1796 Sir, The honour of your Letter of yesterday's date has been received. The papers, which accompanied it will be transmitted with the next muster roll to the Accountant to the War Department; and the Statements of bounty, to which you refer, will be made at the same time. The monthly muster and pay roll for January will be submitted to the Commanding Officers inspection and Signature with the same punctuality as the others have been. By the observation made to you some time past, on the companies monthly muster rolls, I meant no more than to obtain your advice. It had been directed by a former Commanding Officer, that they should be lodged with the Paymaster. You have given different orders, and they Shall be obeyed. The directions, which I have received from the Accountant to the War Department on the Subject of the money in my hands, and which I have communicated to you, must account for my past conduct. Your Letter of yesterday's date surprized me because it was unexpected; but although from difference to your advice, I delayed an immediate answer, an honest heart and a well intentioned mind pointed out a ready reply. Your orders I have always received with chearfulness, and have always wished to give them implicit obedience. In one instance only I have to regret that a difference of opinion between you and the officers to whom I am accountable for the expenditure of the money hitherto entrusted to my care, rendered it necessary, in my opinion, that his advice should be resorted to, and obeyed. I can have, Sir, no object in view but the completion of my Duty. I can acquire no profit, and obtain no reputation by the censures of my commandant. The good of the Service and my feelings direct, that ideas of Subordination Should be cherished, and good order observed; that you, tanto as a Commandant be dutifully obeyed; beloved as a friend to military emulation; and respected as the experienced and Scientific officer. That pecuniary transactions are always of a delicate nature. The directions which I have received from the Accountant to the War Department are pointed and clear. Had I Signed receit to you for the Due appropriation of the money, I would have obeyed you in every pecuniar order, as I now do him; and would have, been detained from the fulfilling of which I conceived my duty, by the threats of any officer to dismiss me from Service. I am a young man, and it is not Likely that my fallibility is less on account of my youth. I have however, always desired to fulfil the task allotted me, with zeal and integrity; and to return to civil life with a reputation fair and unsullied. My conduct must therefore be open to inquire; and however great my errors may be feared to Shrink from investigation. I have the Honour to be with Sincere respect Sir, Your very humble Servant. Nch. Trimon Lieu^t A [undecipherable] and Temporary Paymaster at West P^t. Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Stephen Rochefontaine