[Richard S. Blackburn / received 25 March / Ans^d 2 April] [Mr. William Simmons / assistant / War Department] West Point 21 1796 Sir Since my Arrival at this Garrison I have been inform'd that Capt Bruff rec^d at your Office a Commission for House Rent paid in Baltimore during his Command at that post; you receiving what Information I have procured the within [undecipherable], for House Rent during my Commands at New York, where I had a family & where there was not any disposition of House to cover their Heads with. I shou'd have produced those Vouchers, [undecipherable: stop last Settlement] but did not suppose they wou'd be admitted, although certainly they are not improper Charges as the United States have either find a House or pay the Rent — You will oblige me much by doing what you conceive proper, & agreeable to the Regulations already adopted by you. I expect to hear from you as early as convenient on the Subject — I am respectfully Sir, Y^r mo ob^t Ser R. S. Blackburn Cap^t d A d E P.S. The above [undecipherable] / calculation Vouchers [undecipherable]