[Letter from the Secretary at War 2^d March 1790.] War Office March 2^d 1790 Sir, In the Newport Herald of the W^th instant I observe an advertisement, to which your name and the names of Paul Allen and John Porter are annexed, notifying all officers Soldiers & Seamen resident within the State of Rhode Island who were disabled in the service of the United States during the late War, to attend each Thursday untill may next for examination, and that each person who produce satisfactory evidence will receive a printed Certificate signed by the Committee, purporting that he has passed the examination required, and expressive of the allowance he is entitled to receive, as a proportionate compensation for his sufferings while in the service of the United States; and it is also stated you are a Committee appointed by the general Assembly at their last session for this purpose. Although I am persuaded that it is the desire of the United States to administer as much comfort to the unfortunate Invalids as the former acts of Congress will authorize Yet I conceive that the new examination you propose is directly contrary to the herein enclosed Act of Congress of the 11^th June 1788— Whether the Invalids whose claims you shall certify under the new inspection, will be admitted by the United States is a question which would be improper for me to decide upon. Certainly it is that they cannot be admitted without a special act for that purpose. I do not write this letter in order to interfere or impede in the examination conformably to the act of the State under which you are appointed. My object is to let you see the situation of the business and to inform you that you must pay no Invalids but those for whom you have my Warrant. I am Sir. Your most obedient servant H Knox Jeremiah Olney Esq^r