Office of Army Accounts New York Aug 8th 1788 Sir In reply to your letter of the 19th (illegible) to Mr Pierce_ I have to inform you that it is necessary that the specie received by you for the pay of the 2d Regiment Massa= CHUSETTS SHOULD BE SETTLED AT THIS OFFICE AND WHATEVER BA =lance remains in your hands must be refunded in the same coin for the benefit of the original proprietors. As you conceive a personal attendance to this business will prejudice your private affairs and will be attended with an expense more than adequate to the Additional pay allowed for your services. I shall propose a method whereby you will in great measure avoid it. Mr. Swan a Gentleman of this Office proposes a visit to Boston in the course of this Month, and has obligingly offered his assistance and if time will permit will finally close your accounts, for which purpose I shall give him authority_ in the mean time I have to request you will prepare your Accounts and put them in a situation that much time may not be required. I expect Mr Swan will write you when he is prepared for the business, and as this business may be completed at a trifling expence on your part, I would suggest the Idea of allowing Mr Swan some Compensation for his kindness and trouble_ as soon as Mr Swan informs me that your accounts are closed and the balance returned

64 I will forward the Certificates for your Commutation in the manner you may direct_ The Death of Mr. Pierce, which happened on Saturday Morning last occasions this address, at present the department devolves, and will be conducted by me untill Congress are pleased to make a new Appointment. I am Sir M. Obt Servt Joseph Howell To Ebenezer Storer