[Docket: From Col. [undecipherable], [undecipherable] June 3^d 1784, No 2] [Marginalia: [undecipherable]] Trenton 3^d June 1784 Dear Sir I have considered the doubt you had with respect to making a final settlement in regard to my pay. It is very apparent that the Idea of Congress, as conveyed through sundry resolutions, was, that they wished to prevent any Officer neglecting his Military duty, by attending to the Civil. The question arising then, is, [underline: whether the acceptance of a Civil Office vacates the Military one.] The answer I take to be there is no resolution of Congress that any way nearly amounts to this. It appears that Congress, in their regulations, have put it upon the true and proper footing, towit, that an Officer should not in any case shield or screen himself from his Military duty by attending to the Civil — this was carrying it far enough, it was sufficient to answer every good purpose — to have gone further might have been improper. Permit me to refer to the Statement of my case that I delivered when I had the pleasure to see you at Philadelphia. You will perceive by that, that I left the Army upon an unlimited Furlough, it was certainly in the option of the [undecipherable] to have put a period to that furlough at any time, by ordering of me to join my Regiment, and on refusal they might have Cashiered me — in this light I always conceived it, and so it was understood in the Brigade, for it was at the pressing instance of several of the principal Officers that I was induced not to resign my Commission. It may not be unworthy of observation, that if an Officer is absent on Furlough, it is altogether immaterial how he employs himself at such time, so that he does not aid the Enemy. — It may be proper further to remark that it was no unusual thing for Officers to hold Civil Commissions, I knew several who did — the Clerkship of Williamsburg in Virginia was held through the War by an Officer of the line — many others might be named — and no inconvenience could arise whilst they are subject to military discretion. Under all these circumstances I flatter myself that you will be of opinion with me that nothing appears sufficient to bar my claim to the emoluments of an Officer. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir — your obedient humble Serv. David Brearley [Address: John Pierce Esquire] Sir. If it should be necessary, I will attend at any time at [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. [received]