[283] Lieut. Col. Comd^t Stephen Accountants Off[ Rochefontaine — West Point September 11^th [ Sir As claims of a pecuniary nature for diffe[r- ent pur]poses have been repeatedly sent to this Office from th[e ?] of West point attested before you I have now to reques[t that] cases of a similar nature may be discontinued as [I am ] authorised to inform you that such power is not vested [in you,] more especially as civil Magistrates are so contiguous [to the] Garrison. Sam^a W^m Simmons Acc^t Edward Carrington Esq^r Accountants O[ff Supervisor Richmond V September 14^th [ Sir The Treasurer of the United States will [pay] you the sum of Three hundred twenty two dollars a[nd ?] which you will be pleased to pay to Capt Richard S. B[? then] commanding at Fort Norfolk taking the nece[ssary] receipts holding him accountable for the same being [the] pay of himself and the detachment under his comm[and] including forage of David Patteson Surgeon's Mate f[or] 1797. Sam^a W^m Simmons Acct^t P.S. I have consulted the Sec^y of War with respect to paying the money to the Lieut^t in the absence of the [Cap-] tain he tells me that the business is to pursue the [same] course as if he was present I expect the Secretary w[ill inform] him on his being absent from the post and that he w[ill] probably be with you to receive the money. W^m Simm[ons]