[150] 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 compleated, as soone as could be wished for — and perhaps involve you in difficulties which I am really sorry for as I am I think 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 Geo. L. Nicola J. Howell J^r. Philadelphia a two doors from Indian Queen Sir Day 7. 1785 The reason of my not writing to you before, in answer to yours of 28 Oct. last, was that I expected have been at New york the week following but went down the river to the Cape, but have this much to inform you that I enlisted with Capt Peter 13 July 1777, and received one months pay and continued in Town recruiting (there was no paymaster at each Captain drew the pay for his Company, and was very busy — [undecipherable] Grover was appointed in the Pay Mast^ers Depar[tment]