[Copy] West Point, January, 5th 1798. Sir, You informed me yesterday morning, that the extract from the instructions from the Comptroller to the Paymaster General, handed to you on the 3d instant, would, you suppose, being registered in the orderly book of the corps, be seen by Captain Ingersoll, the officer the second in command. In the afternoon I waited on that gentleman with the muster and pay roll for November last, and enquired if he would add his name to the certificate of the muster. He replied that "he should have no objection to sign muster "rolls for the men whom he should muster; "that he would even sign the muster roll in "question, if required, by your order; but that "he did not think it proper for him to give "a certificate, that he had mustered men, "whom he he had not mustered." The muster and pay roll for December 1797 will be in the same predicament as that for the month preceeding. I would thank you to inform me if you have any orders to give me on the subject. With respect, I am Sir, your very humble Servant Neh. Freeman Lieut. & T. Paymaster Colonel Stephen Rochefontaine Commandant I shewed the above letter to Captain Ingersoll and submitted it to his approbation of what concerned himself before I sent it to the Commandant. N. Freeman