Philadelphia Sept^r 11^th 1788 Sir I would wish to know if any thing can be done, as I am informed there is a Majority consider Sir the settlement of the Act are held off and must pay Col. Williams his balance, shall be thankful for your assistance — congratulate you on your appointment of M^r Burnham Col. Col. Wellbanks should be charged with 300 dollars but he says not. I am Sir Y^r Ob^d Ser^t J Ben de Haas Joseph Howell Esq^r --- Sir Shaffort Sept 10^th 1788 After ten years of fidelity I am in hopes to obtain a small gratuity of compensation, for the many hours and years of pain and anguish consequently a wound received on Lake Champlain 1776 while acting as Captain in the Continental Army in Col [undecipherable] under by Waterbury and Commandant of the galley Washington in presenting my claim innumerable difficulties have been thrown in my way. that which seems at present the greatest is I know not when my pay as Captain was stopped and am advised that a Certificate from you will be admitted, I therefore you will be so kind as to send me by the bearer Col^s Grandam how much money had been paid to me as wages exclusive of what was received as subsistance or ration Money you will much oblige your distressed friend — Jos^t Joseph Howell Esq^r John Thacher