Office of Army Accounts New York 19^th Sept 1788 The Commissioner of army accounts to whom was referred the petition of Joseph [undecipherable: probable reading Henry] on behalf of Abalom Baird late Surgeon to Col Walkins 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 Peerce's report of the 25 Aug: 1780 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 I Howell