Office of Army Accounts New York 19^th Sept 1788 The Commissioner of army accounts to whom was referred the petition of Joseph King on behalf of Abalom Baird late Surgeon to Col Malcom's Regiment of [undecipherable] — Begs leave to lay before Congress the report of the late Commissioner of army accounts on a former petition of Doctor Baird praying that the commutation of half pay during life might be granted him. See M^r. Pierce's report of the 25 Aug 1786 Your Commissioner conceives it unnecessary to enlarge on this report, and is of opinion that he is not authorized to grant the commutation prayed for, without the express direction of Congress — all which is humbly submitted J. Howell