New York July 31^st 1793 Gentlemen M^r King has complied with the directions of your Hon^bl Board, in qualifying to his account of Certificates issued for which sufficient vouchers does not appear and has also given his Election indemnifying the United States from any claim which the parties to whom those Certificates belonged, may make. I am Joseph Howell The Hon^ble the Commissioners of the Treasury New York June 3 1793 Sir I am now at your Quarters am informed you are very sick for which I am exceedingly sorry. Comes in hopes you would have been able to have conversed with me respecting a Matter of some consequence to me - viz in 1783 at West Point I produced to you an order for four Months pay of Philip Fowler Drum Major to 8 the Hampshire Reg^t the Months were Feby & Feby March & April 1783 you said it could not be answered till I obtained a Certificate from the Muster Master which I did, you then said it should be paid out of the first Money that came into your hands which did not happen till I left Camp, I put the order / Certificate of his Muster into the hands of Major Morrell our Agent, to whom you said you would pay the Money — when Morrell arrived to Seller I applied for the Money he said he did not obtained it, because the Soldier appeared and told you and him that he the Soldier had received the Money. I gave him debts he must have his time the Soldier advised his troop before I went home, but said nothing about the matter — however, I told Morrell he did not use to be a residence as to believe Philip Fowler who he knew to be a villain, he said he did not believe him but that upon that circumstance you retained the money — well said I where is the order, he said it was left at home but he would bring it to me shortly, he repeatedly went by my house until I often asked him for the order, he never could produce it. I told M^r Beer Morrell had drawn the Money and appropriated it to his own use when he was suspected to have falsified fraudulat final settlements. I was well assured it was the case — I also left with him a list of Men I recruited in 1776 &7 for which I had not Received the Bounty granted. Morrell and Troga, both told me you paid General Poor received it — I have been to your Office M^r Howell cannot tell any thing about either of these Matters but says no body but Blanchard who was pay master to the 8. Reg^t could draw the Money for Fowler. Hope you will soon get able to recollect and will be kind enough to satisfy that Morrell (if it was this case) did draw it, upon which Certificate I can obtain it out of his Estate. James Bear To John Piece Esq^t. N. M^r Blanchard says he did not draw any Money for Fowder.