Recipient's Letterbook Copy

Settlement of an Officer's Pay

The author has been charged with all the money drawn by the officers in his company in 1777 even though the proper receipts were passed through the appropriate channels. Since Colonel Hay was the commanding officer at the time one of the officers resigned, it doesn't seem fair that the author should have that officer's obligations placed on him.

1786

05

03

Philadelphia

Addressed to Captain Howell

Joseph Howell

William Alexander

Captain Beatty

Colonel Grier

Kennedy

Russell

McQuillen

Colonel Hay

Mr. Pierce

Philadelphia

Marsh Creek in York County

New York

Virginia

final settlement with the public

a number of papers

statement of my account for the recruiting service

all the money drawn

my receipt

recruiting service

resignation

endeavor to clear me of it

Mr. McQuillen's accounts

receipt for the money he drew

credit on my statement of accounts

balance due on McQuillen's account

many obligations I am under to you

I think it very hard I should be the sufferer

Col. Hay should do his endeavor to clear me of it

for God's sake settle it some how or other

I shall leave the whole matter to you and Mr. Pierce

I have foolishly receipted for all he had drawn

1786050370055

7

Philadelphia 3d. May 1786.

Sir,

In order to have a final settlement with the Public I put in your hands & Cap. Beatty's a number of papers some time ago amongst which was a statement of my acct. for the recruiting service in the year 1777 wherein Col. Grier charges me with all the money drawn by the Officers belonging to my Company Viz: Kennedy, Russell, & McQuillen, all which sums Col. Grier obtained my receipt for, in order, as he said to contract the accounts of the regiment — This receipt was passed; and that statement made by Col. Grier at Marsh Creek in York County in April 1778. while I was on the recruiting service — When I was ordered do Camp, which I think was in June — I arriv'd early in July — I found Mr. McQuillen had by some means obtained a resignation without settling his accounts — Lieut. Col. Hay was then commanding Officer at the time he resigned — I think think it very hard I should be the sufferer — if Col. Hay is in New York he can perhaps through some light on this matter, and if the Public will not be at the loss Col. Hay should do his endeavour to clear me of it — and lost it is, for McQuillen is (god knows where) in Virginia — However for God's sake settle it some how or other — I shall leave the whole
matter to you and Mr. Pierce, who assures me he will do every thing in his power to have it done —

I have no officer accounts but this unsettled and will be very happy when it is finished — You will find amongst the papers Mr. McQuillens accounts Stated between him and the United States, and if I had not passed the receipt for the money he drew — & pray that I may be allowed credit on my statement of accounts (by Col. Grier) for the ballance due on McQuillen's account as I have foolishly receipted for all he had drawn — Your paying some attention to this business will add to the many obligations I am under to you, and be assured that I am in truth
Sir, your much obliged
& very humble Servant
William Alexander

Cap. Howell