Richmond March 23^d 1787 Dear Sir As you have drawn from me every Paper that could elucidate a contingent fate of an Officer, I am unable now to plead the cause of the Widow of the late Lieut^t. Stevenson If I recollect right the Papers I sent you appear'd fully sufficient in my eye, how they may be view'd by you is another matter — I think they likewise prove that he died in the service of the United States, if so his heirs are entitled to pay untill his Death and either seven years half Pay or Commutation — You could not expect any information from Col^o. Farrington, who knew almost as little of the Regiment after it went to the southward as I did, he has told me that he had no connexion with or knowledge of it as an Officer after he was appointed D^y 2. M. Gen^d. neither can you expect any from the Muster Rolls as M^r. Stevenson was taken prisoner the 3^d May 1781 Exchange Nov. 1782 & perhaps deranged January 1783 or as with many other unfortunate fellows, totally forgotten — Whatever may be the reasoning of M^r Comptroller on the propriety of withholding a Quietus I can tell him he will not get a single paper of my late Office without one that Posterity may be easy on that score — In order to possess you fully with the settlements of Cap^t Muir, I send you herewith the credit side of his account as settled with the State Auditor, the "Account Rendered" I suppose must mean the Copies of Pay Rolls with receipts annexed and the actual ones of the Officers, which are now in my Office and are of those I mean to send with the Musters in the hands of State Officer — March 24, 1787 I have just received yours of the 13^th Instant and shall apply to Colonel Meriwether in your name for the Muster Rolls, and if I obtain them they shall accompany the Pay Rolls &c. which I mean to send by the same conveyance the Loan Officer embraces in forwarding the chest of Old emissions receiv'd from me — It is totally impossible for me to say when Maj^r. Pendleton's Bill will be paid as I am possessed of the like for my salary from June last, and upon which I cannot get a shilling specie as the Loan Officer has not Receiv'd any from the Treasurer, so soon as I receive payment I will send you a bill for the amount — I have been told that the arrears of Subsistance is not to be paid — is it possible — upon what principles is it supported, what precedent countenance it, or what act can justify the Deed, I may go too far without a Certainty that it is not to be paid — when all that could be said, would not be too much. reason grows wild at the thoughts, and affords plenty of room for future Expectations but let them look out who have the watch — I have reflected on the last Paragraph of your letter and upon winding up think I had better give a hint of opinion than express it thus much I may say that all will not be well [underline: right] / just if the former principles & rules are strictly adhered to, or if Liberality & Proper motives do not be the prevailing ground of action, for as I have before said — The Advance Forces & Resources drawn from this state have been great Powerfull and Liberal and the only argument against an allowance as too feeble I fain hope to predominate With this I send the order of George Mosley for Pay due him with a receipt on the back — you will be pleased to send me the Certificates due him by first Post, as he is much in want of the Interest — You will recollect to dash the names of John Reasoner John McDowell and John Trotter from my receipt also Captain Muir, and has sent you his own. — and you Declined sending the Certificates of the three former. I have written to Cap^t. Fitzgarrald in respect to the refund^d to Colonel Ball must have credit for the 500 dollars as he advanced it if not Colonel Hallaw, if it is so in the account its a mistake — I am &c A Dunscomb J^no. Pierce Esq^r.