West Point October 16^th 1795 S^ir The Artificers of the Corps of Artillerim & Ingeniers having been left without any Person to Direct them you have thought proper to put them under my Command as it is absolutely necessary to have an officer at the head of so great a number of Workmen. I have had the Direction of them Since the 1^st of September but I Concieve the Duty to be very hard especially as I have also to perform that of the Garrison, there is at Present a Vacancy for an Adjutant in the Corps. Should you Sir, thinks my abilities Sufficient, & appoint me adjutant of the 4^th Battalion, I am Willing to Perform also the Duty of Director of the Artificers. & my Care & exactness in the execution of it will I hope Convince you of my Desire of promoting the Publick Good. I have the Honour to be S^ir y^our Most obedient Servant P.G. D[undecipherable] Colonel Stephen Rochefontaine — Lieut. C.A[.] [address panel: Colonel Stephen Rochefontaine Commanding West Point] [docket, upper right: Attorney Genl. [undecipherable] by Lieut Bure [undecipherable] 1795] [docket, lower right: From [undecipherable] Lieutenant to the Office of Colonel [undecipherable] & Performing the Duty of Artificers at long.]