[illegible] [ne illegible, perhaps near] [illegible] I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the [illegible] [illegible line of text] =men from General Washington that the pay should be regularly drawn. I wish I had such encouraging Prospects from the States as that I could hold out the like to you. But the Legislatures all seem to think they do a great Deal in giving the Means sufficient to keep us from Starving. Things cannot continue much longer on their present footing __. I am Sir, Your most obedient & Humble Servant Rob Morris John Pierce Esquire Pay Master General