[160] Dear Sir, New York December 22, 1785 Your favor of the 18^th Ult^o to Mr Pierce, respecting the case of Lieut. Trueman was forwarded to him, and, since returned with a request to me to answer it; This I am not able to do further than my official capacity as Ast. Commissioner will permit — for Mr Pierce has not mentioned any thing respecting the arrears of pay, or the possibility of procuring it for him indeed I rather apprehend it cannot be procured as the Treasury is not at present in a situation to pay the demands of the So: Army for arrears of pay &c — If an Officer is willing to receive a certificate in lieu of money, I see no impropriety in granting it, as it is entirely optional with the party concerned, but as this gentleman's case appears singular and affecting, I could wish that he would wait until the arrival of Mr. Pierce, and State his account to him accompanied by a few lines from you — We are now making a return of the Subsistence due the Southern Army, and if they are paid Mr. Trueman will undoubtedly receive his also As you may not have all the charges against Mr. Trueman, I now send them as they appear from the Books of the Office, and memorandums taken from accounts sent from the Southard — they are as follows 1782 April 28. Paid him by Gen. Green £3 N. Currency — . . . . . . . . 10 Dols Dec. 20 " by ditto one bill of exchange for . . . . . . . . . . . 83³⁰ Clothing of John Hamilton D.C.Gen. — . . . . . . . . 30³⁵ 1783 May 20 — To Col. Carrington D.Q.M. Gen. for 2 Horses & 1 Tumbrel rec. this 79³⁰ day of Cap. Ferguson at Campden as freight valued at — June 7 — . Cash advanced by E.M. Hyrne by the hands of Mr. Mathias — 25 — Clothing delivered by Col. Carrington £6.18.5 Sterling — — — 30⁶⁸ The first charge you will observe is three days [161] after he was taken prisoner — the second he credits the 3^d & last is for clothing which I suppose to have been received in lieu of that charged him as received from the Stores at York Town the 4^th I have his receipt for, and the fifth is a charge made by General Green & passed to his credit. Your favor of the 16 Inst was received yesterday with its enclosures — I beg you to continue sending the registers by every post, until the whole is forwarded — Please present my compliments to your spouse (tho' unknown to her) — also to my friend Kitts, and accept the best wishes for your prosperity Jo. Howell John White Esq^r. P.S. I will present Mr. Pierce on his return with certificates of Gen^l. Smallwood. Sir, New York Dec. 29, 1785 Your favor of the 5^th Inst. did not reach me until the 25^th. agreeably to your desire I waited on Mr. Denning the Commissioner appointed to settle the Quarter Master General's Department who informs me, that it is necessary you should produce your appointment, and if in your power, a certificate from the principal in Office, what sums of Money has been paid you for pay, or any other purposes those being produced, he apprehends your account may be closed — Mr. Denning further observes that a Certificate may be necessary, specifying the time of your continuance in service.. Respecting the pay that may be due, which in Captain Porters Company I am at a loss to ascertain, as it was usual at that time, for the Captains to receive the money, and pay their own Men; this I presume