authority by which he was governed — the charge of Blankets ought to be supported by Vouchers, it being enormous and improbable — I conclude the money he received of Haren was for the pay of his men, and am fearful that they are endeavouring to get this covered some way or other — and then will come in with the demand for the pay over and above it — You must be cautious in this as Haren will triumph if he over reaches us, and comes in with a heavy demand in consequence of our inatten-tion — this letter will reach you so that you can answer it by next thursdays post — but if your letter which I expect by the post that comes into this place tomorrow and which will reach me on tuesday night, informs me that my presence is [undecipherable: probable reading "necessary"], I shall set off from Litchfield so as to arrive at New york the Sunday evening following which will make it about the 18^th of the month and you need not then write me — my Compliments to the Gentlemen of the office Jos. Howell Esq^r. [signature] --- Dear Sir Weathersfield December 11. 1785. You will be so kind as to copy the enclosed and forward it by Post — In the midst of wine noise and Company, I have only to inform you of my health and that I was detained by which means I received your letter by the post in consequence of which I shall remain here until the 1^st of January unless Something material turns up which will make my presence necessary sooner — I have written to Edes also and informed him that I cannot be answerable for any of his engagements — I wish M^r Moor would be so kind as to wait on my Sisters and inform them that they can send me letters thro' the office enclosed in yours — yours admⁿ! M^r Howell [cipher] --- D^r Sir Philadelphia December 11. 1785. I have presented the enclosed certificate to M^r [undecipherable] and he tells me it is one of those he cannot settle, Indeed on consideration, I think it more regular that it should pass thro' your office, you will oblige me by changing it for one of your certificates of a like sum — the bearer M^r Slough will sign a receipt in my name, which I hope will answer the same purpose as if I attended to it in person — give me leave to call to your remembrance my pay as Colonel of the 1^st Regiment of Foot for the Months of January February and March 177[undecipherable], you may recollect that when I last saw you here — Colonel Chambers informed me that he had not paid me that money, but had accounted with the auditor of the army for it — possibly I may never have an opportunity of again addressing you on the Subject — let me therefore request that you may now give me a certificate for it, for which M^r Sloughs receipt shall be a sufficient acknowledgment. I am D^r Sir Y^e... [his] Pierce Esq^r. J. Howell Esq^r. Edw. Hand