Comptrollers Office Oct. 8^th 1795 The bearer M^r Joseph Howell has presented to me some his representation to a claim of a Nathan[iel] Bed[undecipherable] for depreciation on his pay as a [undecipherable] in the Corps formerly commanded by [Col.^t] [undecipherable] Livingston. [Although?] claims of this nature were [filed?] at the Treasury before M^r [undecipherable] was appointed to settle the claims of the Army, yet, as soon as that appointment took place, [I] [undecipherable] that no such claim should come before him, because I knew that he was in no [wise?] [respect?] best qualified to [judge?] of their justice and [propriety?]. That claims for depreciation were not mentioned in his General Instructions, must have been, because it was apprehended that few or none of them remained unsettled. Indeed, this is the only one that I know of. For these reasons, I think you may take it up with propriety, and [if] well founded and properly verified, [undecipherable] allow [certificate?] for the Amount. I am Sir Your Most ob^t Hum^ble Ser^vt [signed: undecipherable] Joseph Howell Esq^r [Agent?] for [the?] Accounts