I am Gentlemen Your Very Humble Servant H Knox

Messrs. Neilson &Co War Office June 23d. 1786 Gentlemen I have received your favor of the 19th instant. I have in the most pressing manner applied to the board of treasury for to direct the payment of your account. They admitted the propriety of the observations and regret exceedingly that they are unable at this moment to pay it. The delays of the respective states are so excessive with respect to the requisitions of Congress that the public mustering is nearly at a stand The board will I am convinced from the representations that I have made them embrace the first moment of their ability to discharge your account. They are fully acquainted with the nature and propriety of it, and it is the only one of the kind, of which they have found themselves necessitated to protract payment. I have directed Mr. Leise as soon as six men shall be recruited to Send them off to West Point. This circumstance will I hope, prevent the operation of the idea you mentioned of stopping the supplies of provision to the navy for men who will be at a time at Brunswick — I