Office of Army Accounts New York Decemb^r 13, 1786 Dear Sir Your favor of the 1^st Instant with the enclosure were duly received — You will please to inform your Brother that a difficulty Still remains settling his recruiting account as he acknowledges a balance due To Colonel Grier for this reason I have enclosed a return of letter of Cap^t Williams to be taken from the first Master in hopes it may lead him to a knowledge of those he inlisted — I wish it may enable him to do it — as Colonel Grier has not settled his accounts or ever given the charge which he has against the Officers for Consulting into this office or any other that I can find and as he no longer have insisted that all claims not presented before the first of August last should be precluded it will debar Colonel Grier from a settlement consequently if he has any receipt of your Brother for monies paid him on account of the United States and which are not accounted for he may as some have done, cause a writ at law to commence against him which would be a great disadvantage to your Brother — This circumstance leads me to hope Cap^t Bush may recollect the sum he received & the men he inlisted, also the time he was on the Recruiting service and mustered the Men —— I have enclosed a blank recruiting account for Captain Bush to fill up, which after the necessary forms being gone through he will transmit to enable me to close his Accounts —— M^r Bush's account for the Suits taken from him is settled by W. Milligan and a Certificate ready to be delivered me, but as the Certificate is only about 126⁹⁰ Dollars the Sum in lieu of $288, the amount of the Impressment, I do not think myself justifiable in receiving it untill I have the approbation of M^r Bush as he may think the latter sum was so ample — Therefore wish you to inform him of this Circumstance and if he is satisfied with the settlement to let me know in what manner the Certificate may be forwarded to him — As M^r Bush's account is not supported by such Vouchers as is Necessary I am of Opinion that no more will be allowed —— I am Y^r Joseph Howell Jr. Maj^r Geo. Bush