New Bern January 26 1785 Dear Sir On consideration of the subject contained in your letter of the 24^th Ulto. I should suppose it proper that you make out a list of the names and sums of the persons you have charged issues for back received in 1782 & 1783 — which you had best send to M^r [undecipherable] who will be able to mention, whether it is so or not — I think also that when an Officer has received his [undecipherable] [undecipherable]d pay twice, will not on any terms refund the money, but it might be well to find if there are a great number in this predicament, because if the sum is considerable, for me to undertake the allowance of it, would be without any authority and subject me to censure — in which case you ought to point out the persons and cases to the Secretary at War, [undecipherable] from his directions — But if the number is small & the sums trifling thus [undecipherable] [undecipherable], you had best to settle the accounts and charge the sums as are advanced, because it will not be worth a notice either way by the public — Oblige me [undecipherable] to be presented with the at next [undecipherable] get — I'm along the old money accounts you know that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] composed and [undecipherable] stated the wall of every [undecipherable]