War Department September 15^th 1790 Sir, The Congress of the United States have directed the register of the Treasury to issue Certificates to the Military invalids, and to the Widows and Orphans of such officers non commissioned Officers and Privates, who were killed or died, in the service of the United States, and who are entitled to pensions by the Acts of Congress for the Arrears of their pensions due prior to the fourth day of March 1789. It has therefore become necessary to Ascertain with precision the sum due to each individual of the above description. As several the States may have paid a part, or the whole of the said Arrears since the return received at this Office. I have the honor respectfully to request that you would be be pleased to cause me to be informed whether any such payments of Arrears has been made by the State of Rhode Island Since the 8^th of April 1790, the date of the list transmitted to this Office by your direction. If any partial Payments have been made by the State of Rhode Island I take the liberty to request the information whether any Arrears prior to the said 4^th of March 1789 remain due, and if so the amount to each individual. If no payments have been made since the date of the said list, the Certificates may be made out at this Office presuming on the Accuracy of the list received. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient humble [undecipherable] [His Excellency Governor of Rhode Island] Signed H. Knox Sec^y War