same purpose— In august 1784 I wrote to Col. Wood informing him [20] of my appointment [undecipherable] from him the amount of the monies which appeared against him in the books of this office requesting if he had made any advances to his officers for the recruiting service that he would transmit them in order that I might be enabled to charge the officers accordingly this letter the Colonel never answered, the officers have been filled with— I should be happy to serve M^r Wood but in this instance it is entirely out of my power, as I must be guided by acts of Congress & the general rules of the office — I have several claims now before me exactly similar to Col. Wood's which cannot be closed Joseph Howell Jun^r John Nicholson, Esq: New York June 9^th 1788 Sir M^r Pierce's indisposition and absence from this city prevented him from obtaining a Warrant as soon as he could have wished for the money required of you on account of his salary I now enclose you a warrant N.^o 367 for 334 dollars which M^r Pierce informs me is the amount received, he request you will please to pass the same to the Credit of the United States, and will thank you to acknowledge the receipt of it by the first con- veyance— I am sorry to inform you that M^r Pierce is exceeding low & for some time past has been under the necessity of retiring from all business Sam Sir With great respect Your obedient Serv.^t Jos. Howell Jun^r [John Hopkins Esq^r S.A. Virginia]