Nehemiah Freeman Temporary Paymaster West Point New York Sir The Pay Roll of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers for the month of February 1797, has been examined, and after deducting therefrom 94¹⁰⁰ dollars, agreeably to the enclosed list, amounts to Nine Hundred and three Dollars ¹⁰⁰; which sum you will receive as usual from Nicholas Fish Esq^r. Supervisor of New York, on giving him duplicate receipts for the due application thereof. I have directed a deduction of two dollars P Month from those men made up as Junior Musicians; as the Act organising the Corps of A.P.E. contemplates no such appointments — I observe that it has been allowed in a previous Roll, which must be attributed to the Pay Roll, as there was no remark of the charge being more than the Law will authorize, and it was accordingly overlooked. I have therefore to request that in future you will, in having the Pay Rolls formed, confine yourself strictly to the Letter of the Law and include no charge for an extra appointment other than those authorised. The claim of D^r Francisco as Adjutant has been deemed admissible by the Secretary of War you will therefore pay him the amount of his pay as such; remaining in your hands, taking his receipts for the same. Sam^l Hodge. W^m Simmons Acct. Accountants Office April 12^th 1797.