New York May 31^st 1787 — Dear Sir I receiv'd your letter of the 27^th ins^t p^r M^r M^cGlean yesterday evening — I have been rather embarrass'd with applications since you left us but have just finished M^r. Fenners business (which has been the most material) all but the filling up two Certificates which he is to receive, this tho contrary to the rules of the Office I shall be obliged to do if you do not return before he goes which will be in a few days —— I herewith send a Copy of M^r. Pierces letter to you which I received on the 28^th Instant — The Board of Treasury have seen the letter — and the business mentioned in it respecting M^r. Alexander is in train the other matters relative to Generals — Huntington & Putnam will rest untill your arrival Yesterday I also receiv'd an application by letter from Jeremiah Wadsworth in behalf of the widow of a Major Painter of Baldwins Regiment artificers — this I cannot act officially upon it requiring a certificate from the Office to enable him to obtain half pay from the State — 10 oClock P.M. I have this minute rec^d another letter for you from M^r. Pierce nothing of immediate consequence is in it he acknowledges the receipt of your letter to him on the subject of John Waits claim for the pay stopped from deserters — and joins you in opinion — he mentions generally the Resolves of Congress customs of the whole war, and general orders for detaining such pay, and thinks that the case of John Sullivan is in point — M^r. Pierce wants Copies of Major Ecclestons Receipts for monies charged to him in the account sent on to M^r. Hopkins in Virginia — which money Eccleston disputes the receipt of — shall I send these copies to you? or shall I enclose them from here and write myself? I shall naturally decline either untill I hear from you —— I am Dear Sir — Yours Sincerely C. Swan Joseph Howell Esq^r.