Department of War Accountants' Office Feb'y. 13. 1795 Sir From an arrangement respecting the employment & compensation of Clerks in the Public Offices [strikethrough: a just idea of the nature &] [strikethrough: extent of the] now pending with Congress, it does not appear that a just idea of [strikethrough: that has been] formed [strikethrough: the business of this Office,] [strikethrough: And it is] I therefore Sir have the honor to lay before you a general Statement of the its nature & extent. [strikethrough: We request your interference] in order that the necessity may be seen [strikethrough: for] of there being a Principal Clerk established in the Office with a salary Proportionate to his duties & which I conceive to be equal in responsibility & business with [strikethrough: those] any other of the Offices.— I take the liberty to request [strikethrough: your interference] in this matter, that proper representations may be made to Congress, [strikethrough: that] to [strikethrough: promote] the object of this letter — and that you will please to promote the measure with your influence and Interest. in which you will particularly oblige In your ob't Ser [undecipherable: probable "J. Brucle" or similar] Timothy Pickering Esq'r Sec'y of War [February 13^th 1795 To Am[undecipherable] De [undecipherable] The [undecipherable] [undecipherable]]