Recipient's Letterbook Copy

Back Pay for Clothing

The author has been charged three months back pay for clothing that was drawn by his regiment in 1776. He is certain that every article of clothing was accounted for although the haste with which the regiment had to leave may have resulted in some confusion. If the recipient could provide more specific information regarding the transaction, perhaps he could give more detail as to what happened.

1786

01

22

Joseph Howell

Edward Hand

Mr.Denning

Colonel Chambers

Congress

Valentine's Tavern

White Plains

Fort Washington

Ohio

your letter of the 15th

the Certificate retained

what clothing it can be

exact statements of every charge

for want of wagons

Martins Store

Continental money

your Office was my last resort

It will I think be hard on me if I must lose the three months pay

The transaction was without my knowledge or concurrence

If I knew the particular time the Clothing you mention was drawn and by whose order, I probably might be able to give you more satisfactory information.

1786012270055

10

Lancaster January 22d 1786
D. Sir,
I have received your letter of the 15th ult involving the certificate retained - I believe I must lose the [indecipherable] as your office was my last resort - I cannot at this distance of time recollect what [indecipherable] it can be that the sum charged by W. Denning in useful money can be for - of this I am confident that I gave Colonel
Chambers exact statements of every charge that I knew of that could arise against the regiment when I left it and I believe that every article of clothing drawn within the time you mention has been accounted for - I know that when we marched from Valentine's Tavern to White Plains in Oct 1776, some clothing drawn a few days before, and which owing to the regiment's being unexpectedly ordered on a particular duty at the time could not be assured was for want of waggons to move it further return'd to the Qmaster's store at Fort Washington and there taken, of which I have authentic vouchers.
It will, I think be hard on me if I must lose the three months pay, drawn and returned by Col. Chambers, the transaction was without my knowledge or concurrence - I was at that time on duty on the Ohio by particular order of Congress, and if Col. Chambers had never drawn the money surely, I would be entitled to my pay from the UStates that is, the sum so much Continental money was worth at the time it became due -
If I knew the particular time the clothing you mention was drawn & by whose order, I possibly might be able to give you more satisfactory information - in the meantime I am with compliments to Mr. Pierce.
D. Sir
Your obed & humble serv
Edward Hand
Jos Howell, Esq.