N.C. W. February 8^th, 179[undecipherable] Dear S[undecipherable] [undecipherable] we [undecipherable] in the letter from [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [P]ursu[undecipherable] [undecipherable] to weak[undecipherable] and [undecipherable] pose that he has been holder of my com- [undecipherable] would be a [suf]ficient ground for you to give me a commission [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as I was not [undecipherable] entirely, as [undecipherable] invited with the rules [undecipherable] governed [generally?] [undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] it would not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] me. I ask you [how] [undecipherable] the holding of [a] commission would operate [undecipherable]. The more important questions contained in my letter you have passed over in silence. [Perhaps?] [undecipherable] has no [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] you a [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I hope will remove all doubts [undecipherable] [undecipherable] whatever about [undecipherable] right to [remuneration?]. By the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it appears that [I was] considered as [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Service in the 31^st Dec^r. 1781 and the officers who retired from service at that time are indisputably entitled to the emo- luments of Half Pay &c. I [undecipherable] not take up more [undecipherable] time [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the resolutions themselves. The bearer of this letter [undecipherable] Stevens [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] pay [undecipherable] [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in my [undecipherable] behalf I am exceedingly sorry to [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in a matter of this nature but it [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in my nature with[out] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I am D[ea]r with real esteem [Your?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [marginalia, rotated: [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] also [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] John Pierce Esq^r Pay Master General —