[from H Williamson / 3^d May 1784] John Pierce Esq^r. Pay Mast^r Gen^l Free Hu Williamson Philad^a Annapolis 3^d May 1784 A young gentleman who lives in his neighbourhood has apply'd to me as a Member of Congress for information how he is to get his Acct settled. This he did that he might not trouble Congress with a memorial. His Case was as follows. He was a Lieut. in a Regiment of which David Furman was Colonel. It was as he represents one of the Regt^s which were ordered by Congress to be raised in 1777. He was in actual Service and at German town during the Action there. The Regim^t he says was never fully officered; no Paymaster was appointed & and what pay he ever rec'd come through the Hands of his Captain, Sam^l Cole. He says there is some money due him arrears of Pay. To whom is he to apply for the Settlement of his Account, and what previous Steps is he to take on that Subject? I will thank you for an Answer to this Question. Since I wrote the within [strikethrough: this very] on this morning There was laid before Congress by the Superintendent of Finance a very curious and some what interesting Correspondence between you and Gen^l Horgen. It [undecipherable] also well [undecipherable: shew?] that an attempt made a fortnight ago to get for this Officer th^e Pay of a Brig. failed and that though I do not [undecipherable] all the Ayes and Nays I requested them on that Question. The Correspondence is committed & I observe that I am Chairman. as Committees are chosen by Ballot I have seldom [seen?] a greater coincidence of votes than happened on this occasion, I have [undecipherable: only?] noted this circumstance, because though in itself trifling it will help you to estimate the general Sentiments of Congress concerning the Parties. For it has happened that I have within the last 3 weeks taken occasion to call up the attention of Congress by some very pointed Remarks on [&] the general Truths both of your Character and of that of the other Party. Believe me to be with great Regard D^r Abl. Fnd Hu Williamson J^r Pierce Esq^r