[173] In settlement of M^r Rea's accounts, the U.States will not consider him an Officer longer than the 27 Jan^y 1778 at which time it appears he broke his parole, and by a letter from M^r John Hoope Administrator to the Estate it appears he soon after entered on board the Holker privateer, from which I should suppose M^r Rea did not consider himself amenable to martial Law — I have wrote fully to M^r Hoope on the subject who refers you to the letter — I find John Griffith of the late 8^th Pa: has been settled with to the 1^st January 1782 — You will please to enquire what regiment Cap^t Charles Mcheny belongs to — I do not remember the name or the person — As soon as the business of this Office will permit I will take up the accounts you have requested — I am &c J Howell j^r Jn^o Nicholson Esq^ire New York 21 March 1786 Sir: In answer to your favor of the 11 Ins^t I have to inform you that I have examined the returns in this Office, and find that John Rhea, late [undecipherable] of the 4^th Reg^t, was exchanged the 28 October 80 at which period M^r Rea was taken prisoner I cannot at present ascertain for want of the muster rolls of the regiment for January 1778 — I find him on