[Docket: See after whist has passed / from Capt [undecipherable] / r'd Jan'y 19. 1784] [Address: John Pierce, Esq'r / Commissioner Accounts] Sir, On reperusing the resolve of Congress in favor of aids, I am [underline: more] confirmed in my opinion that you are justified to answer our accounts for commutation, as Majors in the line, for it is a [underline: fair inference] that if Congress designed that we should have the pay, ^only they would never have subjoined, (as in two places, in a short resolve they have) the word "[underline: emoluments]"; — and let it be remembered that Captains from the Artillery received no extra pay as Aid Camps (nor Majors from the line) in consequence of this resolve. Therefore I humbly conceive that when doubts arise about the meaning of any act, we ought to be guided by the letter which in the present case, would certainly warrant your compliance with my account as Aid Camp — But if you are decided on the contrary (which I shall consider as an injury to me) I request you to be so kind as to inform me, that I may make my account accordingly, being on the eve of leaving this country. I beg leave to observe further, That it appears to be an [underline: oeconomical principle] that actuated Congress when they passed the resolutions we refer to; and that considered [undecipherable] as deserving of every consideration which [undecipherable] were, who held no rank in line, and who are not inconsiderable in number. I am Sir, with particular respect your humble Servant, E. [undecipherable] John Pierce, Esq'r Commiss'r Accounts 19^th January 1784 W. Point