[Endorsement: Contrab[?] [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] 25 [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] Fort S^t. Tammany 18^th October 1796. Sir I have received your favors of the 18^th & 24^th of August and of the 16^th of September. M^r Stevens informs me that, he has received the money for the pay of the troops and I am now on my way to Charleston to take it out of his hands. I have been detained here several days by the most tedious north east [undecipherable] I have ever known. nor is it now over. You request me to point out a mode of making remittances more eligible then by the way of Charleston — I am greatly at a loss to answer you. Money might be sent in post notes. this has been once practised but we were longer without it than at any other time. It has been sent to M^r Mathews, the Supervisor in this State. he lives high up the country and there is as much, or more risk in sending to him for it, than in any other mode. If bills were drawn on M^r Habersham, the Collector, he could very seldom answer them, there are generally so many applications to him for money. I once attempted to negotiate the bills drawn on the Branch Bank in Charleston, but it could not be done. I cannot therefore devise any other than the present mode — as there is not a Branch of the U.S. Bank within this State. It is certainly some trouble and risk to go for it; but these are no considerations with me — the expence is but a trifle — Inclosed is an Estimate for the pay for the months of August & September. I have learned since this was made that Maj^r [undecipherable] has gone [undecipherable] northward — Capt Eaton will also be in Philadelphia [undecipherable] — they may therefore be deducted. I shall be greatly obliged to you to send me your decision on the officers accounts which I have transmitted, except on Capt. Eaton — otherwise I may be embarrased. I will write you again either from Savannah or at Charleston. I am, Sir, Your humble Servant [undecipherable] Freeman [undecipherable] William Simmons Esq^r. A. D. M.