[J Howell esq^r.] Philadelphia Dec^r 19^th. 1788. Dear Sir My own health being such as to prevent my being able to make a journey to your City at present I have forwarded the accounts of Maryland & Delaware which have been collected by me, and which agreeably to the Ordinance of Congress are to receive a final adjustment at your office; by the bearer M^r John Wright one of my Clerks who will deliver you the several Abstracts made of them. — In the prosecution of this business I have made it my particular aim to arrange the facts in such a way as would be most likely to lead to a discovery of their real situation, but the confused and complex manner in which many of these transactions originated will, I presume render a final decision on them very troublesome — M^r Nicholson having been absent several weeks, I have not been able to close my business in this State yet. when this is done I shall make a general representation of the accounts in my district with remarks thereon and do myself the honor of laying a copy before you Your letter inclosing one from M^r Richmond is arrived, by the last post. he informs me he had inclosed two accounts for you and if order was taken thereon desired I would bring him your answer, I will thank you to communicate your determination on them to M^r Wright who has also in charge Cap^t Livings commutation account. & the copy of the laws of Maryland in his favor. — I shall consider every civility afforded M^r Wright an obligation conferred on yours &c^a John White