Office of Army Accounts New York Sep. 23^d 1790. Dear Sir Your letter of the 15 inst. was duly received I thank you for the information relative to Col^o. Lee's accounts as also for your congratulations on my appointment, the business of which, I hope to be able to accomplish with satisfaction to those who have honored me with their confidence I have no objection to granting the commutation to Cap^t James Ewing, but wish to be furnished with a copy of the act of Assembly, which provides for them without any additional expence to the United States, the one you inform of, forwarded to M^r Pierce I cannot lay my hands on, and as I am a young principal, would not wish to grant the money of the United States without having sufficient authority for so doing — you will therefore please to inform Cap^t Ewing that his transmitting an attested copy of the act that his Certificates shall be delivered to his Order — you may remember you received sundry Certificates for Officers & Soldiers of the Maryland line and promised to procure their receipts or orders; several of those are wanting — I wish you therefore you would please to pay same attention to it as in all probability the Clerks, on settlement of M^r Pierce account of Certificates will require them I lament with you the ill State of health which you have experienced, as also the want of that which makes life comfortable, both of which I have lately experienced, however we must hope for better times, make my compliments to Kit & believe me most Sincerely yours Jos^h Howell P.S. since writing the above I find on examination that Cap^t Ewing is charged with the sum of 100 dollars received of Col^o. Thomas Price in 177. for recruiting, pray inform him of this, that he may not be disappointed in having it deducted unless it is accounted for — J.Ho. Jno. White Esq^r