Hartford, May 14. 1785 A Certificate signed by W^m. Pierce, number 26,083 dated State of New York Jan. 1. 1784 payable to James Gilbert, for six hundred & ten Dollars, with Interest from 1. Jan^y 1784 has been brought to me for the country for enquiry whether it is true & genuine — it is as I cannot ascertain that point, I take the liberty to request the favor of you to inform me by a line as soon as convenient, whether that Certificate was issued for the sum it purports to be for or not, for the satisfaction of the owner, who is apprehensive of its being an altered one, and if it should be so, has an Opportunity to see him self, and perhaps to discover the Author of the Alteration — Your compliance will oblige the Owner as well as your Humble Ser^t. W^m Thompson To Howell Jun^r Philad^a. May 24. 1785 Sir Your favor of the 14 Instant came to hand this morning and agreeable to your request have subjoined a Certificate of the real sum that the Certificate N^o 26.083 was issued for, wishing you may be enabled to detect the Villain or Villains that have