[from John Brownley] [rec'd the 5 Aug: 1786] [undecipherable] To: John Pierce, Esq.^r Pay Master General on public [Business?] New York Richmond State Virg.^a 29^th July 1786 Sir I have not the Honour of being acquainted with you, [with] a matter of Worth and [thing] which no Good Citizen belonging to the United States have a [Right] [undecipherable] obliges me to presume of [undecipherable] trouble You with a letter with my rec.^t inclos'd. — My Reasons for Taking this Liberty Sir: is as follows. 1^st I made Application to M.^r Dunscomb who is appointed to Settle Continental Acc.^ts and he informs me he was limited to a certain Time, and that has Expired long ago. in Consequence of which he can do Nothing [undecipherable]. 2^d I have Applyed as soon as possible could and before the Expiration of the time [undecipherable] Congress for a Settlement and [undecipherable] of military acc.^ts 3^d the principal, is, that I've lived for three Years past in a remote part of N.^o Carolina, where We felt a News Paper never but by mere Chance, and was only made acquainted of the Resolution with Respect to the method Adopted by Congress for the Liquidation of acc.^ts for Military Services. — The [undecipherable] 4^th M.^r Honey a[ssistant] to M.^r Dunscomb, informs me, there is No Eligible Matter of Getting redres, but by an Application to you. he further tells me We as Surgeon Math: is not allowed the Commutation Settlement. You being more acquainted will oblige me by letting [me] know the Certainty of [strikethrough: this] matter the acc.^t I have the Honour to inclose to You Sir, is as accurate as I am [capable] of Understanding, and Shou'd there be any Deficiency or inconsistency, be pleas'd to Rectify it. — and Beg the favour if Convenient Cou'd Transmit me the Settlement by in a letter, directed to — M.^r Dunscomb Richmond: Shou'd this Request be inconvenient please to let me know your Sentiments and Determination on the Subject. I have the Honour to be Sir, Y.^r most ob.^t & Very H.^le Serv.^t Jo: Brownley [National Archives of the United States seal]