[Mr. Oliver's health — I am extremely anxious to hear from accounts of him. am Sir &c Jeph Elwell Esq^r Ja^s Hopkins] Portland Cnesday July 19^th 1799 Sir I have now an Opportunity Esquire Fletcher a Member of Congress to write you on the following subject which I hope to be favored with your answer by the return of the same Gentleman unless you have a good opportunity before-time. I should be glad to be informed if there is an Absolute Monopoly of any coming to your Office at New York in Philadelphia to make a settlement for the last three Months payment in Scrip recieved for the Officers and Soldiers of the late E. Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Lt Col Commandant S. Sewall, on the Months of Feb^y March & April 1799 — if you recollect most of the Soldiers who had enlisted for the War went home, previous to that payment being recieved, also many of the Officers, Consequently the Money did, was recieved and was nor could not be issued in Camp, and was thought by yourself & several of the Agents that it would be for the Officers & Soldiers Benefit who Wish to serve with as little inconvenience to them as was possible, to advertise in our own home, the place and time in the public News- papers, where they might apply for said wages together with the Army Toles &c due them, and make the settlement with you at some future time, and not receive our Commutation untill such Settlement was made,