[Private] New York 28 February 1787 My Dear Sir I have presented the board of treasury to give me orders on M^r Imlay for 2000 dollars which are enclosed to you in my public letter of this day. In order to facilitate the business I have consented to suffer the warrants to be drawn in my name, and to become accountable with the comptroller for the same. I hope you may be able to negotiate them! The one for the quarter masters department, is drawn for a larger sum than will be required for that department. I have expected that you pay the overplus to my order, as I am in great distress on account of some public debts and the board can afford me no other relief, than that now proposed If you could negotiate 200 dollars more, than the sums now forwarded, and will inform me so, I will endeavor to get the board to give the quartermaster General their warrants for that sum, to be applied to the substance of the officers and the pay of the men of Colonel Humphreys's Corps. Congress have reduced the pay of the civil staff — every officer has been reduced more or less excepting those serving at War. This plan you have low to be the true law Congress wise for abating taking off the leisure of the troops now pressing — as you and M^r Morris would not maintain them — It is absolutely they must be reduced — Keep this however entirely a Secret. I am my dear Sir Your truly affectionate H Knox Col^o Wadsworth [No. February 1787]