[February 3^d 1795 Joseph Howell Esq [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] T D February 3^d 1795. I [undecipherable: probable reading "hasten"] in reply to your letter of January 28^th that the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] holders of due bills for Rations under M Duer's contract, were permitted to lodge their claims in [undecipherable: probable reading "your"] Office, merely for the purpose of enabling the Treasury to effectuate more equitable arrangements in their favour, in case a balance should appear, [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] due from the United States to the Contractor on settlement — It being however now [undecipherable] certain, that no balance [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] is due to the Contractor, it will not be proper for you to encourage any expectation that said claims will be discharged by the public — — I am &c Joseph Howell Esq