William Hetelius Esq^r                      Philadelphia Nov 18^th 1796 New York Sir I have rec^d yours of yesterday respecting claims you purchased of pay, supposed to be due to several Soldiers late of the New York Line. in answer thereto, I must inform you that all claims of Soldiers not filed in the Office within a certain limited time are barred & foreclosed from settlement or allowance, by several Acts of Limitation. those Claims are therefore considered barred. if any arrearages were due on them, it is now too late to make an examination. I am &c W^m Simmons L^t Col Stephen Archefontaine              Accountants Office West Point — New York                       Nov 19, 1796 Sir On examination of the West Point Pay Roll for the month of Oct^r. I find some Sergeants have been made rate as Sergeant Majors & Quarter Master Serg^ts. — On a reference to the law organizing the Corps, no such allowances are authorized. It was an oversight in allowing it on former Rolls, having conceived that nothing would be introduced, but what was strictly legal. — The Pay Roll will remain unsettled upon until I hear from you on this subject. I am &c W^m Simmons Acc^t Fred W^m Wilson                                      Accountants Office Governor's Island                                   Nov 21^st 1796 New York Sir I rec^d your letter of the 18^th inst. and this morning examined your Provision Returns for August, and August & September 1796. of which the following are true Copies.