Letterbook

Joseph Howell discusses army accounts with Jonathan Nicholson

Joseph Howell discusses the settlements of Colonel Stephen Bayard and Hugh Bradley with John Nicholson.

1788

01

21

Office of Army Accounts, New York

Joseph Howell

John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Joseph Howell

Hugh Bradley

Colonel Stephen Bayard

Colonel Butler

officers

wife

congress

Colonel Wood

Office of Army Accounts, New York

settlements

money

accounts

pay

vouchers

rolls

certificate

Battle of Brandywine

1788012121055

330

330

John Nicholson Esq

Office of Army Accounts New York Jan 21st 1788

Dr Sir

Your letters of the 3rd November, 10th Dec (undecipherable) and of the 15th and 16th inst are received - I have some time since stated the Accounts if Col Wood as far as the papers in my possession would admit, but for want of /col Bayarda and Col Butlers vouchers I am not able to close them - in the present situation of accounts there appears a balance of four thousand dollars due the United 'states, and how far the accounts of those two officers may affect Col Wood is at present uncertain - I lament the situation of his family and well know the virtues of his wife, were it in my power to resit her by forwarding his business, I would with the utmost (undecipherable) do it, but circumstanced as I am, bound up by acts of Congress and under the control of Superiors, as also the accounts being improperly vouched prevents me from making any the last favourable report.

I am of opinion that Col Bayard has made a settlement with Col Wood but this settlement being wanted and a supposition arising that grant part of the money

335

received by him was advanced the officers for recruiting which if not brought to light will be a total loss to the United States. a circumstance that will prevent me from complying with his request in granting a certificate for pay retained.

I have received a letter from Mr Le Barbrier Duplessus enclosing a certificate from you for depreciation granted to a certain Hugh Bradley late a Serg in the 5th regiment. This gentleman has wrote me several times on the subject of pay due the said Bradley and I have as often searched the rolls of the regt for him, but without success. Bradley I now find was missing after the action of Brandy wine from which time I do not find him - I therefore wish you would favour me with a copy of the voucher that intitled him to depreciation, on a certificate that he was legally discharged for without one or the other I cannot grant any pay.

I am Sir with great esteem Y obed sevt

J Howell