[John [undecipherable] Esq^r— April – 1784. relative to the pay of Artificers [acted upon]] [Received from State Dep[artmen]t Nov. 24, [18??] E.P.O. 401810] Col^o Pickering presents [May 15. 1778.} half pay for 7 years}] Novem 12. 1779 eleven Companies raised. Novem. 16. 1779 a recommendation to the States to allow the artificers all benefits except half pay Octo. 3. 1780 & 20. 1780 places the regiment of Artificers on the establishment, promises the half pay to those officers then discharged and to those who shall continue in the Service to the end of the war. This arrangement involves but eight companies of Artificers to be continued, from some officers [undecipherable] might have been then discharged. March 29. 1781. Baldwin artificers discharged. no promise of half pay at that to the officers. two companies to remain in service. The question is whether the promise of half pay for life to the officers who continues in Service to the end of the war extends to the officers of Artificers who have served thro' the war – J Pierce Decided in Congress Aug^t 26. 1784 that the half pay is constitu[undecipherable] be given to [strikethrough: send] no [strikethrough: any] class or denomination of Officers "hereafter but where it has been, expressly promised."