Author's Letterbook Copy

Closing of accounts

The author rejects the recipient's contention that he is only to be responsible for the accounts of his State. The Commissioner of Army Accounts requires the recipient to close all the accounts rather than just those of his State. A partial accounting will only retard the business of the War Office.

1784

09

21

Philadelphia

Andrew Dunscomb

Joseph Howell

your friends

Officers of Spee's Legion of this State

Cap. Herd

Mr. Pierce

that Corps

Philadelphia

your native City

State of Virginia

this State

this post

your several Letters of the 13,17, & 29

three weeks

your appointment

all the papers relative to that Corps

those accounts

the wish of Mr. Pierce

the accounts of the whole

partial settlements

the business

much unnecessary trouble

the settlement of that Corps

return of the Horse

I am to inform you it is the wish of Mr. Pierce that you take up the accounts of the whole

1784092121055

26

Philada September 21st 1784.

Sir, Your several Letters of the 13, 17, & 29, Ult.o I received in my return

from your native City, at which place I was near three weeks and had the pleasure of seeing your Friends.

In yours of the 13th you mention that your appointm[ent] confines you to the [undecipherable] of Virginia alone, in consiquence of which the Officers of Lee's Legion of this State must be settled by me. As you are possessed of alThe papers relative to that Corps, and as I understand Cap. Herd is now with you For the purpose of closing those accounts. I am to inform you it is the wish of W. Pierce that you take up the accounts of the whole, For if partial settlements are made it will retard the business exceedingly, as well as confuse the accounts & give Cap. Herd much unnecessary trouble. You will therefore proceed in the settlements of that Corps.

The return of the Horse I have not been able to procure for this part - by the next you may expect them if to be had.

Yours, etc. J. Howell Junr.


A. Dunscomb