[66] this sum Col. Williams denied receiving and informed me that it was paid Captain Binkham, this Gentleman has since settled his accounts and avers that he received no Monies of your late father but what came through the hands of Col. Williams, and as there was no Receipt from him I could not carry it to his debit— Col. Williams has the same plea and may deny the charge, but as the greatest part of the charges exhibited by your father are mere Memorandums I should suppose that if any is admitted, that a probability arises the whole are just, however this is not for me to determine — I cannot conceive why Col. Williams should withhold the Account stated by me as I expected it was on that he founded his prosecution — M^r Pierce departed this life on the 2. Inst. and untill Congress makes a new appointment the business will be conducted by Y^r M^t Ob^t. Serv^t Joseph Howell To John Peter de Haas Office of Army Accounts New York Aug. 14. 1788 Sir I hereby Authorise and impower you to settle the accounts of Lieut Ebenezar Stone late Pay Master to the Second Regiment Massachusetts for the specie pay received by him for payment of the Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Privates of said Regiment for the Months of Jan^y. Feb^y. March & April 1783 and to receive from the said Lieut Stone such balance in Specie as may be found due from him to the United States- the nature of those Accounts you are perfectly acquainted with, therefore I need not impress on your mind the necessity of the vouchers produced to be clear & explicit. am Sir y^r Joseph Howell M^r Caleb Swan [67] Richmond Virginia July 25^th 1788 Sir The inclosed will account for the apparent mystery in mine of yesterday- please to do your best for me Y^r A Dunscomb To Joseph Howell Esq^r NB Lieut Scotts unsettled account on file with the Letters Richmond July 29^th 1788 Sir The Muster Roll of the Virginia Line, obtained sometime since from the Office of the Secretary at War, are now forwarded to you by the Captⁿ. I am with great esteem Y^r Ob^t Serv^t To Joseph Howell Esq^r J. Meriwether Office of Army Accounts New York Aug 25^th 1788 Sir Your letter of the 10^th Inst^. came to hand this day. I most sincerely regret with you the loss of our Mutual friend: his decease has prevented me entering on the business mentioned in yours of the 25^th July last, and I am rather of Opinion that the Board of Treasury will not admit the Qualification of M^r Scott while a charge still exists against him, I know of no other Method to clear up this transaction than to wait untill M^r Hamilton produces his vouchers for settlement, when this is done and then should not appear either a receipt or order from M^r Scott then the Money may be obtained; but untill such evidence is produced I acknowledge I should not be free in exporting