[certificate enclosed by Cap^t Joseph Howell in the original letter] New York August 22^d. 1786. C. Swan Sir New York August 22^d 1786 Inclosed is a letter to Cap^t Job Vernon, covering a certificate for two hundred and eighty five 76/90 dollars which appears due him on settlement of his Accounts — Cap^t Vernon requested me to put it under cover to you You will please to forward or present it to him as soon as convenient — And oblige Your Humble Servant J. Howell J^r I certify that the above mentioned letter and certificate were to my knowledge, enclosed in the original letter of which this is a copy This day New York 22^d. August 1786. C. Swan Maj^r John Harper Post Office Chester Pennsylvania } New York July 25^th 1786 Sir M^r Pierce being absent on a Tour to Boston I have taken the liberty to open your letter of the 20^th Ins^t to him With respect to the Officers of the corps of Artificiers we have never granted Commutation to any of them they being Generally precluded by certain resolves of Congress — but the particular Situation of the artillery Artificiers has been laid before M^r Pierce and refered to Congress and I believe has not yet been decided upon— I think it would be best to make the Claims for Captain William Hawes and have it filed previous to the 1 August Next — On enquiry of M^r Burrell I find that the claims of Major Perkins for Wood Forage &c come properly under the notice of M^r Milligan — The letters enclosed were delivered to the Gentlemen as directed — I am &c Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r J. Howell J^r Office of Army Accounts } New York September 1. 1786 Sir. Lieu^t Weidman late of the German Reg^t and a prisoner has made application to this Office for his Commutation— and upon examination into the Accounts of the Regiment. I find that on the 17^th day of December 1784 his certificates were issued to Henry Shrupp of Philadelphia— by Virtue of a certificate from John Miller Justice Peace a copy of which I have enclosed to you— Weidman denies ever having given a power