other applications of the same nature — the vouchers depending on the Quarter Master to be made when he pleases, and impossible to be checked by any other accounts — the temptation is the greater as no evidence can be produced sufficient to ascertain the sum due to the individuals, or indeed the names of the persons to whom the money is to be paid — when therefore such a payment is made the certificate for the amount must be delivered to one person in his name, and it will depend on him to make such satisfaction to the Soldiery as he pleases. All which is humbly submitted [monogram] To Charles Thomson Esq^r Sec^y of Congress Army Comm^y Office May 31^st 1786 Sir I have considered the contents of your letter of the 22^d Ulto and am of opinion that it is necessary for you personally to apply either to the Secretary at War or Congress for the confirmation of your rank and continuance in the service, before I can be justified in making a settlement of your accounts. The commission you inclose was in a regiment which was dissolved within the year for which it was raised, your not being continued in another Regiment and your acceptance of another appointment most probably will be construed as a supercedeas of the Commission — A resolution of Congress of June 5^th 1776 has directed that Aidedecamp have the rank of Majors and a resolution of Feb^y 21^st 1780 has directed that Commissions be issued to those then in service — whether the first act grants the same emoluments as that of the latter, and whether your leaving the Generals Family can entitle you to the privileges of an Aidedecamp in service on the 21^st February 1780 and make you an Officer in the Line of the Army, are questions to be determined — It is necessary to observe however that General Green had his full Compliments of aids after you left him, and that M^r Peters's letter to you appears to represent that you had left your former line of duty, without the expectation of returning to it. Major William Blodget New York May 31^st 1786 Sir M^r Jackson (to whom you addressed your letter of the 25^th of march) being absent in Georgia, I took the liberty to open it and in answer to which have to inform you, that your old Cash Accounts are settled, that the certificates for arrears due to the army