Col. Steph.ⁿ Rochefontaine, West Point. Department of War — Accountants Office — February 16^th 1796 — Sir I have received your Letters of the 7^th & 12 Instant — and have to request that you will have me furnished with a list of the Names of such of the Soldiers who have arrearages of Bounty due them — Stating the names of the men, sums due & by whom they were inlisted — This Information can be obtained from the Officers who inlisted them and who are present at West Point, and such as are not there information may be obtained from the Soldier — when they arrive Steps will be taken for the payment thereof — as to inserting their names in the Pay Role for additional Bounty it would confuse the System heretofore pursued, and therefore improper. In regard to the duties of M^r. Freeman as Pay master, I have to observe; that I consider him in the same light with the other Regimental Pay Masters of the Army, and give him instructions accordingly. The System is no new one; it has heretofore been approved of and to adopt new plan at present would derange all order in the Office. — I am Sir &c. William Simmons