[Vol. 14 No. 2] Dear Sir, Jany 21. 1796. I inclose a letter from Capt. Blackburn, which I request you to peruse, with the letter from Gen^l Knox, & the certificate on oath of Jesse Taylor, relative to 150 dollars paid to the late lieutenant Grayson, who spent the money without getting recruits. The simple question, in my opinion, is this — Whether [strikethrough: or] Capt. Blackburn was justifiable in putting that sum into Grayson's hand who had just been commissioned in the same corps of artillery, and instructed by the Secretary of War to assist Capt. Blackburn in recruiting? — I will observe, that subalterns are every day employed to enlist recruits, and are furnished with money for the purpose. And I have no hesitation in expressing my opinion, that Capt. Blackburn was justifiable in the payment of that sum for that purpose to lieut. Grayson — who is since dead, & left no property. He was the son of the late Col^o. Grayson. — Lieut. Grayson's rect. has been left — which has occasioned the production of W^m. Taylor's certificate. — Capt. Blackburn has met with such a reception from the Accountant, on this business, that he talked of resigning. I advised him to the contrary, & to obtain evidence of the advance advances to Grayson, when I could not doubt the admission of it to his credit. The fact seems to be that the Accountant sets down every man entrusted with public money for a rascal — & treats him accordingly, when he comes to settle his accounts. I shall be obliged by your opinion before I give any order in this case. Y^rs Sincerely T. Pickering M^r Wolcott