[204] Office of Army Accounts New York December 14^th 1786 Sir I find that you Stand charged by Col. Henry Bringnoles with the following sums received by you for vouchers which I cannot find have been accounted for (viz) Do. January 15^th 1777 100 ditto 23 170 74 116 270 dollars I am &c. Peirce Capt. Leonard Bleeker Office of Army Accounts — New York December 19^th 1786. Sir Having examined M^r Harborough Gridley's claim upon the United States for Pay &c as a Assistant Engineer, I find that his Father certifies that he appointed him as his assistant in constructing the works near Boston, that the commander in chief approved of his receiving a proper compensation for these services which was made him in February 1777 — That he was most probably out of employ after this as the works were so nearly completed and as the commanding Officer of the department [205] did not find him active in 1779 when his Father certifies that he went a Volunteer to Rhode Island and is [undecipherable] from April 1778 to August 1779 him for a Volunteer is entitled to pay it is unnecessary to determine as he has [undecipherable] it but on his return to Boston he was either not employed by the public or the Continental Generals thought themselves not justified in paying him or it was considered that he was to be paid by the State on whose service he evidently went to Falmouth, for we find that he drew no more pay from the United States as his original appointment was contrary to the established method of making Officers as the letter produced from the commander in Chief only directs a payment of his past services without confirming his appointment as the Continental Generals have not found him where actually employed and as Congress have never recognized him in any arrangement or entry in the public offices of the Engineer Office I am of opinion that he cannot be considered as a regular Officer of the United States or received any further compensation than what has been given to him already unless he applies to and obtains the approbation of Congress for it — I am &c. Peirce Do^ct. Wm. Eustis