[Commissioners Office Richmond Virg^a Jan^y 22^d 1788 Dr Sir You will recollect when in this City I asked your opinion in respect to those accounts of this State that by the Ordinance of the 7^th of May last are to be sent to your Office for examination &c and think at that time your replyed you were not able to answer me either Officially or proper. I therefore request you will please to inform me whether the words— "Bounty, pay and depreciation of pay and Advances to Militia" includes any thing more than payments made on account of the former and pay of the latter, whether on examination of those Accounts, at your Office any evidence or information should be wanting the State will have it in her power to send for, and offer the same in support of such deficiency; Thus I conceive to be questions very necessary to be answered; that the papers should be delivered up without knowing whether any or what objections will be offered against them, and at the time of trial to be debarred of testimony, will I think be a departure from the spirit of the Ordinance. you will be pleased to favor me with an early reply— I am Sir with respect I remain W Mil H Lov N Dunscomb John Pierce Esq^r]