[undecipherable] [undecipherable] going to be his [undecipherable] services in the capacity of a Chaplain in our late Army or any Chaplain at that ground of the service indicated. You as they [undecipherable], have placed the Finger which you concerned were due to him; in your Judgement, in that respect, he justly confides; and does not exist for a Resolution. — But with Respect to Rations I beg leave to engage your Attention. You defence, as I take notice in a Letter from my Attorney of April 26. 1793 "that as to rations, it was beyond a doubt "that I can & will not receive any allowance on that account." And in another Letter of Dec. 18. 1793, "that as to rations, they "were precluded beyond all doubt from payment." It is in some [degree?] painfull to me to contrast your Opinion on the Subject, with certain Facts. — According to the just and equal provision in [such] cases universally, I was considered as having a Right; and did receive 12¾ Dollars of M. Avery on account of the Rations. — This Right I did not forfeit by the late Application, as you might suspect from the Statute of Congress of March [undecipherable] 1792. My Claim did not come into your [view?] early [I am sensible]; and before it was determined by you, [the] [undecipherable] [from?] your last [favor?]; and I presume you was governed by the [undecipherable] in the said Statute, the Spirit of which was ultimately [yours?]. — But Sir, my Claim was founded in the Army of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that I give you [undecipherable] representative in Congress from the State of [undecipherable], where their [undecipherable] address; a very [undecipherable] [undecipherable], I was concerned with Particular [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] at War. In a letter from my Attorney of Dec. 29. [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] at War wished to see the original paper which he [undecipherable] M. Carter respecting your claim; he thinks that "they presume the objection, that your claim was not laid in [sufficiently?] early." In the next letter of May 27. 1791, he [says?] that "I received your paper at the late [session?] which you refer to, and laid it before the Secretary at War; he thinks your claim is not "precluded by the Limitation of Congress on account of that 'Application,' by M^r. [Baxter?]." This circumstance, being thus read, led to [view?], [undecipherable] my claims not limited. I have a right therefore to presume that I do not fall within the Statute of March [undecipherable]. If I am not barred by the said Statute, I beg the [favor?] of your giving me Information how the rations & [undecipherable] Decided beyond all doubt from [undecipherable], or putting me into a line from receiving them [undecipherable]. With respect I [subscribe?] myself Your [undecipherable] Isaac Mansfield [March 15, 1794 / Isaac Mansfield] P.S. If [undecipherable] receive this in [undecipherable], [undecipherable] not into the [Services?] [undecipherable] appointed Sept. 1, 1776 [undecipherable] which [undecipherable] was no rations except [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] dollars To [Joseph?] Howell Esq^r. [undecipherable] to War Department, and acting Pay Master General