[268] Gentlemen                          New York Sep^r 3^d 1787 I feel the most Sensible Pain from the perusal of the Letter from your Honorable Board of the 22^d Ult^o which, missing me in Virginia, did not come to hand untill Yesterday, and I presume that when the information which I now do myself the honor to Communicate is considered, that I shall be deemed as rather meriting approbation for the Steps I have taken to secure the money referred in that Letter than as incurring any displeasure for misconduct in it. and I hope I shall not be found liable in consequence of my duty as Postmaster General to have taken any further Steps to recover it. I am willing however to pursue every measure and undergo any difficulties which the Board shall be pleased to direct in any other view of my duty. I beg Leave therefore in the first place to excuse myself for not assisting the Man who is is Surmized was selling this money at Richmond; because a Considerable time ago the Loan Officer there informed me it would be prejudicial to the Interest of the United States to make any Noise respecting the Paper Money, and who therefore at my Solicitation wrote to your Honorable Board