Office of Army Accounts New York 2^d Jan^y. 1790 Sir Your letter of the 6^th [undecipherable] is now before me. That part of your letter relative to Bills of Exchange [undecipherable] sent to you, as well as that requesting Authority to draw for the [Other?] Installments, I laid before the Sec^y at War — for the first he had no objection but was of opinion that the charge of [Printing?] [it?] should be [undecipherable: shown?] on the Reg, however the Sum being so trifling I have included it in [Account?] of contingencies I have little doubt it will be passed. you will now receive two hundred & Eighty two. Blank Bills of which [undecipherable] in there are two Renumbered 174 — I have formed such Checks as I conceive will prevent all impositions — the Sec^y at War has no objection to your drawing for the second [undecipherable] the [last?] to be the [Other?] Installments but wishes [it?] to be [undecipherable] postponed [undecipherable] unless absolutely necessity should require it until the account of the Regiment are finally closed. for which purpose [undecipherable] his desire that you would endeavor to be here in April next & bring all the Muster of the Reg — have the accounts closed & then you may depart and compleat the business at your leisure — I find this business will be attended with much trouble [undecipherable] may involve me equally great, I therefore join with the Sec^y at War in wishing to see you about the time the first Installment takes place — you inform me that you propose [undecipherable] to each Officer & Soldier Accounts individually I give Bills only to those who are in Service, leaving the discharged Men to be paid by me — if [undecipherable] you pro-pose giving your Bills individually to the Soldiers, [undecipherable] I have [undecipherable] you will want at least two thousand, consequently what I now send will fall far short of your wishes — I was in hopes the business could have been transacted by [undecipherable] [strikethrough: which would have [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] trouble [undecipherable]] as was first proposed, however I think you may still [undecipherable: controul?] your plan — it may be presumed that 4 or 5 [undecipherable] Soldiers will dispose of their pay to one person — in this case it is only drawing for the amount of the [undecipherable] of due them — keep a Register of the Names & the Number of the Bill with the date and amount & Company & transmit me a Copy [undecipherable] to check this will enable me to check your drafts — [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] as I flatter myself no more Bills will be presented without previous advise from you for without the latter I cannot accept them. you may be assured no Soldier discharged will be paid by me without noting the Sum paid on the discharge — [undecipherable] for your information I have [undecipherable: enclosed?] you an Account of Monies paid by me to Gen[.] Knox being charges exhibit[ed?] by him against the Officers — this is done to [undecipherable] [?] This money has been paid without Warrant [undecipherable] partial payments I am not [fond?] of [undecipherable] any accident should happen to me or my papers a great [loss?] would accrue to me — I therefore sincerely hope I may see you as requested — we will then form a plan for future Operation, which I apprehend will be more fully to our wishes — A Man by the Name of William Houck of Cap^t. Ferguson C^o. has made his appearance this day — he is on furlough — the Sec^y at War has granted a Warrant for One Months pay which I have paid him — this you will notice — As you have given me official information [undecipherable] of William [G.?] Johnston of Cap^t. Smith C^o. having [undecipherable] his pay twice I will be careful not to pay [undecipherable] either of the persons [undecipherable] entitled [undecipherable] determine the [undecipherable] who is [best?] entitled — your attention to M^r. Bronson [&?] will oblige me — [strikethrough: Colo. Platt [undecipherable]] M^r. Trogno has informed me that on account of [undecipherable: interest?] Colo. Platt has paid him for One Years Subscription for the Gazette of the United States, consequently [undecipherable] I am in debt to you Three Dollars left with my Brother for that purpose. I called on M^r. Knight & informed him that it will suit me next week of the one following to pay him his demand against you — please make my Compliments acceptable to Maj^r Wyllis — Maj^r [undecipherable: Doughty?] — Cap^t. Ferguson & all of the Officers who either regards or may ask after [undecipherable] Your friend Jos. Howell Jr. Cap^t. E. Beatty — [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] Reg.