Lieut. N. Freeman D^t War Accountants Office I. P.M. West Point August 30^th 1797 Sir In reply to your letter of the 24^th Instant enclosing the accounts of Robert Tinley and George Stuart Drummers, for extra services in instructing the mu[sic] of the Corps of Artilliests & Engineers, I have to observe charges of this kind are unprecedented and in my opinion it would be very improper to augment the pay or reward Soldiers for every little extra services rendered by them when it could be made their duty so to as - Congress have fixed their pay &c. I am therefore of opinion that their claims are inadmissible and should not be paid - you have their acco.^s returned enclosed. I am &c. Wm Simmons Acct.