[Col° Troup a/c Feb^y 24. 1784 Gates Copied] West Point S. Feb^y 24 1784 Dear Sir Payner I have receiv'd your letter enclosing a certificate from the A[ss^t] Secretary at War, ^certifying that you were return'd in the service, derang'd the 21 of Dec^r 1781 and intitled to the emoluments of the resolves of Oct^o 21 1780. — but as I am acting for the publec I conceive it my duty to make a further inquiry previous to admitting your claim — I wish, ^therefore to be informed what was the authority on which he grounded the certificate the former part of it must be supported by some publec act, as the resolves which I did myself the honor to point out to you would otherwise have been in operation and your Lieutenant Colonelcy be superceded by your other appointments I wish also to be informed what resolution you retired under — as that of the 31^st of December 1781 did not, nor has there been any resolution since that time which has promis'd the half pay to those retiring on that day. As Cap^t Jackson ^being is a gentleman of great accuracy I must own I am mortifyed that I cannot find the after a careful research any foundation ^among the resolves of Congress for his certificate I have enclos'd a copy of this certificate to M^r Carlton at the War office and desir'd him ^also to give the proper information Colo Troup New York February 8^th, 84 Dear Sir [undecipherable] in the letter from a date- [undecipherable] in a loyal manner to [undecipherable] as I suppose has he been holder of my com- mission would be a sufficient ground for you to give me a commutation note but as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as particulars, as one united with the rules are govern'd generally by. I beg if it would not [undecipherable] give me I ask you how far the holding of a commission [would?] operate. The more important questions contain'd in my letter you have pass'd over in silence. [Perhaps?] perhaps however in enclosing you a certificate of the [undecipherable] at war which I hope will remove all doubts & difficulties whatever about my right to commutation. By the certificate it appears that I was consider'd as [undecipherable] from Service on the 31^st Dec^r 1781. and the Officers who retir'd from Service at that time are indisputable intitled to the emo- luments of half pay &c. I dare not take up more of your time in [undecipherable] but upon my right I beg leave to refer [undecipherable] the resolutions themselves. The bearer of this letter Col Stevens [undecipherable] me but is not of [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] I have no reason to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in my letter I am exceedingly sorry that you [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in a matter of this nature but it en- [undecipherable] is my future welfare [undecipherable] I am Sir with real esteem Your friend Rbt Troup [from Robert Troup answer'd Feb^y 26. 1784 [undecipherable] the letters following] John Pierce Esq^r Pay Master General