New York March 22 1786. Dear Sir "It is learned by us here that you have the most difficult task of any State Commissioner in [strikethrough: the Union] [undecipherable], especially by your conduct in office is particularly attended to — especially in respect to your firmness in opposing any unsolicited & improper demands; your attention to the nature of [your] allowances and your not being swayed by the overawing men of abilities and influence who are interested to [undecipherable]. There is now [undecipherable] among some of the States that the demands of Congress are [undecipherable] resisted and that they are most artfully endeavoring to throw them burdens into such a form that it will be nearly impossible to prevent their allowances. Your situation is therefore not very enviable, and to support your [undecipherable] d[undecipherable] will require that you follow implicitly your directions and where these fail you, the spirit of those [undecipherable] regard to any other considerations. I think it impossible to [undecipherable] to work for more powers — as you have a good reason for [undecipherable] referring as voucher to another tribunal of your [undecipherable] authority and [undecipherable] for the dimensions — any State funds that it seems cannot be [undecipherable] profitable to them, and let you the Commissioner apply for — especially as they must be the expense and the [undecipherable] It is most probable their applications will meet with a [undecipherable] readier attention. It is sometimes presumed that the Commissioners apply for more power either from a desire to be of more consequence, or to oblige the State with whom they act. I should therefore proceed on the business, allow when [^not to be [undecipherable] following] am authorized [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of Treasury [undecipherable] currency as do not come within my [undecipherable] directions [undecipherable]. I think my reports would be made monthly, consisting of [undecipherable] ^two [undecipherable] on showing the accounts I have paid to the credit of the State & the [undecipherable] I have examined [undecipherable] which I cannot [undecipherable], with the reasons for such rejections. I think the latter is part of your duty, and I believe the former will lead more to an enlargement of your power than any application whatever. It will show the propriety of your conduct and the justice of your allowances. I shall endeavor to make out the account you request — but this cannot be done before August and [undecipherable] [March 22 1786] [Copied]