166 a New Appointments in Equity ought to have taken place on examination of the Musters & my extract of the Strength of the Regiments at different years & will be found that near one half of the Men were absent on furloughs & in different ways, which absence I have not Noted; but on the Contrary included every man which was admitted by the Mustring Master. There was too many Officers paid in the Month of January 1778 as appears by the foregoing in the Amount of 297 dollars, in January 1779, 483 dollars, in January 1780, in the sum of 469 dollars in Jany 1781 in the Sum of 496 dollars, in January 1782 in the Sum of 153 dollars, in January 1783, in the sum of 571 dollars, and makes an overcharge about three hundred & thirty dollars drawn each month for Officers more than the just pro- portion According to the Number of Men in the Regiments and has paid eight Captains too much the whole times or two Majors and three Captains, or other Officers in proportion. John Pierce --- Dear Sir, New York October 6^th 1786 In Answer to your Letter of the 26. I am to advise you that the Board of Treasury appear to be in Opinion against your Claim for Pay in Consequences of your Appointments being prior to your taking the Oath of Office and that therefore you will stand no chance of