Col Stephen Bayard

Office of Army Accounts New York Jany 21st 1788

Sir

Your letter of the 15th inst reached me too late on Friday last to be answered by that days post.

The only account of yours among the papers of Col Wood now with me is a pay roll of your company from the dates of their inlistments to the first of November 1776

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on which is annexed a receipt for the sum of £203.6.3 (being as is expressed) for a balance of money advanced soldiers more than you received, and for balance due for new recruits as (undecipherable) account rendered, “this balance was paid you in consequence of an order from Genl Schuyber then commanding officer at Philadelphia - I must acknowledge the words” and for balance of new u=units as (undecipherable) rendered" implies a settlement made for Bounty paid the men or for monies advanced the officers for recruiting - Unfortunately this settlement is wanting and while it is the case, will prevent me from employing with your request in issuing a certificate for the amount of stoppages - for were I to do it, it would be a (undecipherable) acknowledgement on the part of the United States (thro me as their officer) that the monies which are charged against you were accounted for without the necessary proof in such cases required - of the 5910 dollars received I make no doubt a great part was advanced officers for recruiting, which ought to appear to enable me to charge them on settlement - in the whole Sir, however my inclination leads me to save you and my fellow officers, in this case you must excuse me, for as a public officer under the necessity of implicity obeying and directed by acts of Congress am thereby prevented from serving you - Col Butlers accounts are in the same

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situation as yours. I find him charged with money but no vouchers appears for the expenditure of it. Col Craig and Major Bunner are the only ones that appear, and they are very improper as no receipts accompany them for the payments made.

I am Sir with great respect yr obt servt J Howell