Philadelphia Jan 29^th 1788- [Gentlemen] I hope that my Letter of the 13^th instant has come to your hands in which I took myself the Honor to assign to the Board the Reasons that caused me to consent that the Business I was employed in should be suspended and informed the Board that I intended in a short time to have Virginia on my way to New York. I have accordingly pursued my Journey thus far and expected to have left this City tomorrow but some business of a very considerable consequence to me has unexpectedly turned up and requires my attention. I have therefore to request the indulgence of the Board to be absent about a fortnight more to remain in this City; unless I recieve the commands of the Board to the contrary — I left Col. Henley in charge of the Illinois Papers, which he intended, if it was in his power to lodge in a place of safety to be redelivered either to him, or any other persons order appointed as a Commissioner in his place; he is now completing a Copy of our journal for Congress after which he will come on to New York. Jn^o Pierce The Honorable The Board of Treasury