Norwich Nov^r. 6^th 1788 Sir A few days before I left New York I handed you a letter from D^r. Philip Turner with some papers inclosed which are still in your hands, he desires you will be kind enough to transmit those papers to me by the bearer Cap^t. Niles, as also your reasons in writing why he is not entitled to his commutation as he wishes to lay his case before Congress — I am w. esteem & regard Benj^n. Huntington — Joseph Howell esq^r. — Office of Army Accounts New York Nov. 15. 1788 Sir Agreeably to your request of the 6 Inst. I do myself the honor to inclose you the papers N°. 1 @ 4. some time since transmitted by Doct^r. Philip Turner In respect to the claim of Doctor Turner for commutation, I beg leave to observe that on examining the records of the War Office a letter from Doctor Cochran director of the military Hospital, dated the 4 July 1781. appears wherein he informs the Board of War of the resignation of Doct^r. Turner, there also appears a return of the Hospital department dated aug. 1. 1781 signed by the [strikethrough: undecipherable] same Gentle=man wherein Doct^r. Turner is returned "resigned" which will more fully appear by the enclosed certificates N°. 546. — I have applied to Doct^r. Cochran for the original — original letter of resignation from Doct^r. Turner, but unfortunately it is either mislaid or lost, however Doct^r. Cochran assures me that his letter to the Board of War, & return of the department, so far as they affected Doct^r. Turner were founded on a letter received from him, wherein he expressed his mortification at being superceded & that were he to join the main Army it would entirely ruin his private practice which induced him to resign — I cannot conceive that Doct^r. Cochran would have attempted to return any Officer as resigned without having authority so to do as he must be convinced of the impropriety of such conduct I flatter myself Sir from the evidence on record that you will join me in opinion that Doct^r. Turner is not entitled to the commutation; and altho' his original letter of resignation does not appear, that this evidence is sufficient to warrant a belief that the Doct^r. did resign — Joseph Howell N.B. the papers alluded to in this letter are filed w. the Hospital dep^t. Benj^n. Huntington esq^r. —