[Endorsement written on middle panel of exterior leaf:] directing that the Paymaster at West Point [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] or the order of [undecipherable] [Commanding?] [undecipherable] — that the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] for the amount — [Notation at right margin:] No. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] War Office, August 22 1797. Sir, In reply to your letter of the 19^th instant, on the subject of Lieut. Freeman's l^re to you of the 13^th, I observe, that I shall authorise the Paymaster at West Point, to advance a small sum, whenever it shall be found absolutely necessary, on the written request of the Commandant, to any person send in pursuit of deserters, at the same time it is expected, that the Commandant will exercise such discretion, as not to create heavy and unnecessary expences to the public, in the business. Should the person intrusted with money for the above purpose, either die, or not return, so that a particular account cannot in any degree be rendered, it does not appear to me reasonable, that the Paymaster should be responsible for the sum advanced, he ought therefore to have a credit on your Books for the amount. I am Sir respectfully Your obed^t. Servant, James McHenry The Accountant of the War department.