[52] Norfolk Virginia July 25^th 1788 Sir The want of Opportunity prevented my Making application previous to this for a Certificate for a hundred dollars stopped at the final settlement of the Officers of the [undecipherable: probable reading "Pennsylv"] line, on the presumption of being on the [undecipherable] service, and my name being on the [undecipherable] duty, (which you will find by the Regimental Books of the 5^th Regiment of that State to which I belonged as Lieut) conceive myself entitled to a Certificate in consequence of such stoppage, should this not be the proper mode of application will thank Col Pierce to inform me in what manner and to who I must apply, the bearer Capt White of the New York Packet will present you with an order to receive the certificate or such directions as you are pleased to [undecipherable] to Sir y^r Mo^st Hbl Serv^t [undecipherable] John Pierce Esq^r New York July 29^th 1788 Sir The Act of Congress of the 23 Inst. allowing you one years pay as a Lt Col retires immediately to the Act of the 26^th November [undecipherable] and consider you an Officer retired from service agreeable to the said Act— The Commissioner of Army Accounts has ever considered the Officers retiring under this description to be entitled to one years Nominal pay, and those who have settled by him have received only the value thereof. I am therefore