[July 1. 1788 to the Sect of War 3 Brig. Col. [undecipherable] Rang Mo[undecipherable]] Sir The principal objection to the Settlement of the Accounts of Colonel Bean arises on the expenditure of the monies received by him in the Year 1779 for the recruiting Service. I have carefully examined among the principal Books of this Office the Accounts which have been fitted by Mr. Price and those that were filed by the late Auditors of the Army. I have selected therefrom such Officers of Colonel [undecipherable] Regiment who appears to have made a Settlement, and of their Accounts, some of which have been [partly?] settled, the [undecipherable] of the Office have not made any Settlement with the United States, no Return of which a Account or [undecipherable] and credited the monies received by them — those who have settled and partially aided the Colonel & those who appear not to have made any Settlement whatever, a Return of which I do myself the Honor to enclose. The money actually received by Colonel Bean for the Recruiting Service amounts to — Dols 17,900 Of this form it appears by his Receipt that he has paid the to the recruiting Service the Sum of 10,330 advanced by him to sundry on his pay 374.40 10,704.40 from which deduct so much retained by his Officers salaries credited on the receipts 1441— leaves the actual debit to his office of [undecipherable] $2923.40 which deducted from the amount leaves a balance of [undecipherable] $3,070.50 due the United States as [undecipherable] his accounts [undecipherable] appears [undecipherable] The monies advanced those Officers as to be paid [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to those officers who are [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The advances made [undecipherable] to those Officers who continued to serve under the same as well as to those who have partially visited the [undecipherable] Colonel on Settlement. I have no objection to admitting, as they [stand?], they are entitled [undecipherable] to be allowed [undecipherable] they appear [undecipherable] and Accounts but the advances which have been made to those who are supposed to have resigned or [undecipherable] leave the service previous to the Army Settlements taking place I am of opinion cannot with any degree of propriety or justice to the United States be admitted, for early in the year 1779 a General Order was issued wherein the Officers were informed that no resignation would be accepted by the Commander in Chief without a Certificate was produced from the commanding Officer of the Regt. The pay master and the Auditor of the Army that such Applicant was not indebted to the Regiment or to the United States. [undecipherable] Colonel Bean [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Order is not [undecipherable] to admit [undecipherable] him in [undecipherable] to appear [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] [undecipherable] another Order [was?] issued on the 10. April 1779 wherein the Officers commanding Regiments were [undecipherable] required to have the recruiting Accounts of their respective [undecipherable] fitted for adjustment by the Auditors of the Army. These Orders I presume Colonel Bean was not unacquainted with, therefore if he suffered any Officer to leave the service without first obtaining complying with the direction of the Commander in Chief he is certainly liable to the penalties which his neglect subjects him and cannot at this day suppose [undecipherable] [to the Honble the Sec^t [of War?]]