[134.] Sir. New York November 8^th 1785. Inclosed you will receive the returns of the officers of the late line of Pennsylvania who appear by the Muster Rolls. to have been deranged in the year 1778. as also a return of those officers (Prisoners) who were made supernumerary in consequence of the several resolves of Congress for that purpose made — I believe there were one or two officers of the 8^th Regiment deranged in 1778. but for want of the musters after that Regiment left the [underline: Main army]. I cannot ascertain who they are — the charges against the prisoners. accompanies this several of whom have finally closed their accounts with the united States, which you will find noted in the return — Others I have noted "the Specie charge to be opposed to their years pay" this is in Consequence of their settling their accounts for rations, without Crediting any monies charged by the Commissaries of Prisoners. Consequently the old emission due them for pay will not be adequate to the Specie charged them — I beg leave to remark, that the greater part of the officers deranged in 1778. have received their supernumerary pay in the same manner the officers of the line Received theirs — this will guide you in allowing the depreciation in the same manner as has been already adopted by you — I beg you would not settle with any who have Money to account with the united States — as we have no other method left to bring many of them to a settlement — enclosed is a receipt of Colonel Harmer's. which is to be passed to the Credit of Bowen & Beatty. Also a resolve of Congress fixing the the military claimants to a certain period — Please to present my best Compliments to M^r. Nicholson. and believe me to be with much Sincerity Your Very Hum: Serv^d Jos: Howell John Nicholson Esq.^r Sir New York November 11^th 1785. In conversing with you some time since in respect to settling the accounts of the officers who were prisoners — I think you informed me you generally pursue the principle of allowing their depreciation of pay to commence from the 1^st September 1777. agreeably to the accounts formed by me when Auditor for the army. as some of those officers are Still to settle with the United States — I have to request your Information relative to your mode of Settlements; this enquiry arises in consequence of one of those accounts formerly Settled by me being revised this day and closed. presented by Lieu^t. Henry Clayton of Colonel Swopes Regiment flying Camp. in which I have admitted his pay in Specie to the period abovementioned, if this officer has been allowed depreciation prior to that date, you will please to inform me, and if in your power deduct it from his depreciation — I wish you to send me a copy of Cap. W. Ferguson's A/c of Depreciation; as he has still a settlement to make with us. which cannot be done without your assistance — You will please to write me as soon as convenient under cover to M^r. Nicholson of Strawberry Alley Market Street. and [undecipherable] Gr Hum S^t J. Howell