[Copy] New York 2^d Jan^y. 1790 Dear Sir, I do myself the pleasure to enclose you the Gazette of the United States, from N^o 73 to 76 inclusive. I presume Cap^t. Beatty has some time been with you & informed you the [strikethrough: settled] plan adopted for the paym^t of the Troops — he informs me in his letter of the 6^th of December, that the first Installment will not more than pay the Debts of the Officers & Soldiers & wishes that his may be empowered to draw for the second & third — I have [strikethrough: had his letter] informed the Sec^ty at War of his wish, who has no objection to his drawing for the Second — the third it is wished may be postponed untill a fair settlement of the Accounts of the Reg^t. shuld take place for their pay &c. to the 1 of this Year; if Cap^t. Beatty can possibly finish the business of the first & second installments so as to be here by April or May next, I shal be able to close the Accounts the third time & he may then return to finish the business at his leisure — indeed I am of opinion that I [strikethrough: shall not be able to proceed in the] cannot close the Accounts without him, more especially of the discharged Men who no doubt have sold their pay to persons who were after payment on the day appointed — the balances due those Men I am [strikethrough: at] a Stranger to having left that business to a Gentleman who has since left the Office & did not make a return to me — [strikethrough: tho'] also it is the wish of the Sec^y. at War to have Cap^t. Beatty here, provided [strikethrough: his] his duty does not interfere — I must therefore Request for these & many other Reasons that he may be permitted to attend — it will I am confident be of essential Service to a Number of Gentlemen I wish to serve & more acceptable than yourself — make my Compliments to M^rs. Harmar & may [strikethrough: they] you will be enjoy many happy New Years — it is the wish of Gen^d. Harmar D^r. & Your friend Jos. Howell