War Office. May 10. 1790 Sir, W^m Hartsell, an hospital store-keeper, petitions Congress for Commutation. He asserts that John Cowell, Andrew Colwell and Muhael Detrick Surgeons mates of the hospital, have received the Commutation. The Secretary of War wishes you to inform him if the fact be so I am Sir your most obed^t Serv^t Caleb Swan Joseph Howell Esq^r. [undecipherable] [Docket:] Letter / To the honble / Sec^y of War / 8^th May 1790 / [Copied?] / relative to Commutation / of [Surgeons?] mates / being [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] Office of Army Accounts 8^th May 1790 Sir, There being no act of Congress authorizing commutation of pay to hospital Mates, no payment under that description has ever been made them at this office. The State of Pennsylvania I find has under a particular law granted commutation to John Cowell, Andrew Colwell and Michael Detrick who were Surgeons Mates of the hospital. But these payments will be classed with those claims which are non admissable to the credit of the State. I am Sir with respect Y^r Obed^t Serv^t J.H. The honorable Sec^y of War