[130] my opinion need not prevent him from making an application to Congress if he thinks himself injured in a settlement — Geo. Rich. Hampton                           Jos. Howell J^r Dear Sir              New York May 10. 1787. Your favor of the 30^th ultimo with its enclosures was received the 8^th Instant The one for M^r O was delivered agreably to your request. a curious claim has been made by a M^r John Wait of Boston, for the pay due sundry directors of the Massachusetts line, which it seems he purchased at Camp, and from the circumstance of their not having received until late in the year 1785 or at least until after the treaty of peace, he urges the propriety and justice of his claim and has interested M^r Gotham in favor of his application which is now before the Board of Treasury — I have examined your instructions from M^r Morris's, and do not find any clause in them that relates to this business. I therefore suppose you have been governed by some standing resolution of Congress respecting forbearance by direction, which I do not recollect when it was passed. I have not countenanced in the least this precedent, as it would open a door for a multiplicity of applications, and involve this office in a Labyrinth of business, not to serve the public but only to answer the views of Speculating traders. — The ordinance requiring the five Commissioners to be appointed, passed in Congress yesterday —