Dear Sir, New York December 12. 1785. Your letter of the to M^r Pierce of the 6^th Instant, did not reach me until last Saturday — I am sorry to inform you that M^r Pierce has been some time from the office on a visit to his friends, and is not expected until Christmas —— this will prevent your business from being complicated, as soon as could be wished for — and perhaps involve you in difficulties which I am really sorry for as I am Sensible the prosecution commenced against you is Groundless and Scandalous to the last degree If I can be of any service you may Command me — pray let me hear from you and direct under cover to M^r Pierce — as in his absence the business of the Office devolves on Your very Humble Serv^t Gw. L. Nicola Howell Jr. Philadelphia two doors from Indian Queen Dec 9. 1785 Sir The reason of my not writing to you before, in answer to your of 24 Oct. last, was that I expected have been at New York the week following but went down the river to the Capes, but have this much to inform you that I inlisted with Cap. Porter 18 July 1777, and received one months pay and continued in town recruiting (there was no paymaster at each — Captain drew the [undecipherable] for his company, but my being [undecipherable] I never was mentioned in the Pay [undecipherable] as I can find) 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 downing town with a parcel of Horses to recruit — My [strikethrough: pay]due from the regiment is fourteen months, twenty six days at 10 Dollars p Month — Then joined Col. Mitchel 2 Martin, and continued with him 'till Col. Miles 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 [strikethrough: undecipherable] three thousand Dollars in Ten & upwards — I spoke to M^r (Brown one of his clerks) on the subject, he says Mitchill 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, & put me in a way to obtain it — I shall ever remain Your Sincere friend Jos. Howell Esq^t James Brays Philadelphia December 12. 1786 Sir I was favored with yours of the 30^th Ulto with the certificate inclosed agreeable to my request, for which you will please to accept my best thanks — I enclose, M^r Carlton's Order from the Board of War, which you will please to present to him, with my best respects — I shall take it as a particular favor if you'd ask General Knox if he has made any report on my memorial to Congress, and to let me know whether or not — Your compliance will greatly oblige Your Obed. Humble Serv^t James McLean Jos. Howell Esq^r