New York Dec. 21^st 1785 Dear Sir Your favor of the 30^th of November last only reached me this day — enclos'd are two letters one from M^r White, the other from some friend of yours from the Southward — this was shar'd on me, but on looking at the name Conceive it was of a private nature, and therefore immediately deliver'd — M^r White has sent by this post 1300 [undecipherable] Number of his register — the printer still goes on rapidly by M^r [undecipherable] informs me that his business will be compleated in the time contracted for — at his request and the report of M^r William Francis to the board of Treasury that M^r Follet has accomplished one fourth part of his Contract for which his pay going to day him — think you would adopt some mode to have the registers of the Virginia Line launch, for the press will be delayed — I had wrote this for, when M^r Anderset presented me with the letter noticed, marks this + by the hand writing Supposed it to be your M^r Parkins consequently a private one — I have received letters from Brown & Markland, and from the printer at Richmond, acknowledging me the receipt of yours with the receipt of my part — I am happy to inform you that the business of the Office does not require your attendance — The Compliments of the Gentlemen of the Office wait on you, and they if you would accept of the best wishes of one who has the happiness to subscribe himself Jos Howell John Pierce Esq^r