[address panel: Joseph Ward Esqr. State Street — Battle] [marginalia on address panel: C. March S / M. feb 1785 — undecipherable] New York October 4^th 1785 Sir. Your letter to M^r Pierce of the 3^d September 1785 came to hand this day— as M^r Pierce is absent I have to inform you that I have made application to the Comptroller Generals Office, and find that no such certificate as you described in your letter has yet been presented to that Office to be cancelled or examined— But as there were five certificates issued by M^r Pierce to the 1^st Barnes for the same sum (Viz. 1000 dollars each) it will be necessary that you ascertain the number of that which you have lost, that we may be able to distinguish it— You will please to direct under Cover to M^r Pierce. I am Sir with due respect Your very H^ble Ser. Joseph Howell Jun. Afft. Joseph Ward Esquire