[Miscellaneous Nov 1. 1792 To Jos Howell] [Copied p^r W.R.] [Ent^d. Folio 343.] C. W^r. Nov. 1. 1792 The construction of the resolution of Congress of the 18^th of April 1782 which you appear to have adopted in stating the account of Jacob Tomsley and which supposes that as Soldiers who inlisted during the War on the 16^th of January 1782, was intitled to Depreciation on his pay under an inlistment in June 1778 for twelve months, was in my opinion erronious — The resolution of Congress not only requires that a soldier, [strikethrough: should in] in order to [strikethrough: receive the] Depreciation, [strikethrough: but] should be inlisted for three years or during the [strikethrough: whole of the] War. [strikethrough: But the] The rule of construction which has [strikethrough: formerly prevailed] and which in my judgement is the true one, will not authorize the allowance of Depreciation [strikethrough: of pay] for any person, except such as were [strikethrough: first] and under an inlistment for three years or during the War. [strikethrough: I am &c] Nath Howell &c