Nehemiah Freeman Esq^r Temp^y Pay Master West Point Department of War Accountants Office March 24^th 1796 Sir I received your letter of the Instant together with the Pay Roll of the Troops at West Point, which I now return to you, for the purpose of inserting the dates of appointments, and Inlistments it is necessary that the Muster Roll should accompany the Pay Roll before it can be acted upon here — the letters of Lieu^t Hale and Lieu^t Geddes will be attended to. I received your letter of the 15^th Instant enclosing Two accounts of Lieu^t David Hale — That carrying the mail, is considered a contingent expense of this Department, and I therefore return it to you for the purpose of paying it out of any un appropriated in your hands, The other account is not a proper charge against this Department, and must be settled at the Treasury. I am Sir — William Simmons