Philadelphia July 1^st 1784 Sir altho it is of no consequence to you what my opinion is respecting your claim, as the Secretary at War is the only person who can have the proper information [undecipherable] in the Service, and on whose warrant alone I only pay out the public monies, — I must own to you that even I the more only person to judge in your case I should give it decidedly against you, I am of a firm opinion that Congress also would do the same — but on consideration that General [undecipherable] has delivered it as his sentiments that it will be well to grant it to you, and as the Quarter Master General has given you the Forage, I will in my endeavor to prevail on M^r Carliton, to grant it. [to you,] I have already transmitted to him your Letter and its [undecipherable] enclosure [undecipherable] before him, and not [undecipherable] Your humble servant Jos: Pierce [Major Sumner]