Philadelphia two doors from Indian Queen Dec 7 1785 Sir, The reason for my not writing to you before, in answer to yours of 24 Oct last, was that I expected have been at New York this week following, but went down the river to the capes, but have this much to inform you that I inlisted with Cap. Porter 14 July 1777, ad received one moths pay and continued in town recruiting (there was no paymaster as each Captain drew the pay for his company but my being absent, I never was mentioned in the Pay rolls as I can find) 151 and when I joined the company at Valley Forge, in a few day I was appointed W. M. to the regiment, and was sent to downingtown with a parcil of Horses to recruit – My pay due from the regiment is fourteen months, twenty six days at 10 Dollars per Month – then joined Colo Mitchel QMaster, and continued with him till Colo Miler took his place - he then asked for my papers with a promise to pay me the next day; and that night left the town, and I never saw him since - all this time I never received one farthing from him, but lived on my own money for I had three thousand Dollars in store & upwards — I spoke to Mr Brown (one of his clerks) on the subject, he says Mitchell never settled with him & took his account with him too – This is the way I have been served – if your Honor will be so kind to assist me in the recovery of my just due, or put me in a way to obtain it - I shall ever remain: Your Sincere friend James Bray Jos. Howell Esqr