in my obtaining them after deducting a Small sum which Stands against me in the Comptrollers Office as the Public can have nothing against me but that — I have to request of you as a mind and old Brother Officer to assist me by pointing out a mode that I may draw those Final settlements which the Publick hath no right to and I am unrightly kept out of — I thank you for your assistance in this by return of Captain Bradford who is the bearer of this as soon as convenient — Stephen Bayard Cap Joseph Howell Office of Army Accounts New York March [undecipherable] 1789 Sir The system adopted by M^r Pierce in delivering Certificates to the orders of the Soldiers of the late army will prevent me from delivering them on the Order of Major d Kirkpatrick I find there are Nine Accounts lodged in this Office by M^r Dunscomb for the pay of John Ayers, Martin Whitgile, Thomas Smith, Just Shoemaker, Josock Robertson, James Cooper, Joseph Casher, Daniel Carn, and James Brooks, which I suppose to be a part of those alluded to by Major Kirkpatrick as I find his name indorsed on them, but on examining the orders in his favor there does not appear one of them proper to justify the issue of Certificates, they are in general wrote by one person and not one of them acknowledged before a Magistrate which is absolutely necessary — you will therefore please to advise Major Kirkpatrick of the impropriety of the orders and the necessity of presenting sufficient powers before his request can be complied with — Major Kirkpatrick mentions Eleven accounts I cannot find more than is above expressed perhaps he may recollect the others — I am &c J Howell P^r Joseph Nourse Esquire