[Addressed: John Pierce Esq^r / New York] [Endorsed: 2. July 1784 / Thos Elliotson / No [undecipherable]] New York, July 4^th 1784 Sir, When you wrote me some time ago, for a Return of the Officers of the Hospital Department who were entitled to Biennical allowances, you mentioned Doctor Elliotson having applied for the same. I made out the Return & forwarded it to you agreeable to your request, and informed you that Doctor Elliotson having retired from the line previous to my taking Charge of the Department, I knew nothing of his pretensions. Some time since I find that he did not resign as had been alledged, but was deranged by Congress, upon some new arrangement, [undecipherable] and all the Act for granting certain Allowances for half pay to the Medical Department, may have passed subsequent to his retiring from Service, yet from the Spirit of the Act it appears clearly that the Hospital Officers are meant to be put on the same footing with with Officers of the Line, therefore I conceive Doctor Elliotson is justly entitled to his [undecipherable]; of whom examining into this Matter & [undecipherable] with him on the subject, who can explain it much better than I can, you should be induced to be of the same Opinion with me, I doubt not you will grant him Commutation, Should any further certificate be wanting, only point out the form and I will furnish it. When you finally settle my Account there was deducted 100 Dollars, which I received from Mr. Robert Morris, some time before it, when I gave him my Note; I am extremely obliged to Mr. Morris for settling it in that way & shall always esteem it as an act of friendship. I hope you have the Note as your voucher, so that it may not, thro' mistake, come against me in any future day. I am Dear Sir your most humble [servant] John [Cochran?]