[Address wrapper, verso:] [Docketing notations, upper right:] [M^r Burt [undecipherable] 97] [Muster [undecipherable] Simmons] [rec^d Dec 23 D A] [ditto [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] William Simmons Esquire West Point, Dec 15^th. 1797. Sir I have received your letter of the 12^th instant and the muster and pay roll for November returned. I have laid the letter before the Commandant, who has observed to me That he has "no orders from any Superiour officer to alter the mode of muster, which has been hitherto, practised at "West Point; and that Captain Ingersoll, the next in command might sign the muster roll or not, as he thought proper." Captain Ingersoll, being applied to has made answer That he would not sign the muster roll but by order. The commandant has permitted, not directed, the company muster rolls, signed by the commanding officers of companies and himself, to be transmitted to you. In the mean time, I wait your directions. I have received, by a draught on Nicholas [undecipherable: probable reading "Dign"] Esquire [undecipherable] hundred dollars on account of the pay and forage for October. As I have no prospect of receiving the balance from and of making the payment for that month, I shall, in a few days, transmit you my account current. With respect I am Sir, your very obed. servant N. Freeman Lieut. T. P.M. William Simmons Esquire Accountant of the War Department.