Letterbook Copy

Settlement of 2d Massachusetts Regiment accounts; Mr. Pierce's death

Specie received by Howell for pay of 2d Massachusetts Regiment accounts should be settled at Howell's office and what balance remains should be refunded in same coin. Caleb Swan has offered his assistance. Mr. Pierce died on Saturday and Howell will assume conduct of remaining business until congress makes a new appointment.

1788

08

08

Office of Army Accounts, New York

Ebenezer Storer

Joseph Howell

2d Massachusetts Regiment

Caleb Swan

Mr. Pierce

Office of Army Accounts, New York

Boston

accounts

specie

certificate

1788080821055

63

Office of Army Accounts
New York Aug 8th 1788
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 19th (illegible) to Mr
Pierce_ I have to inform you that it is necessary that the
specie received by you for the pay of the 2d Regiment Massa=
CHUSETTS SHOULD BE SETTLED AT THIS OFFICE AND WHATEVER BA
=lance remains in your hands must be refunded in the
same coin for the benefit of the original proprietors.
As you conceive a personal attendance to this business
will prejudice your private affairs and will be attended
with an expense more than adequate to the Additional
pay allowed for your services. I shall propose a method
whereby you will in great measure avoid it.
Mr. Swan a Gentleman of this Office proposes
a visit to Boston in the course of this Month, and has
obligingly offered his assistance and if time will permit
will finally close your accounts, for which purpose I shall
give him authority_ in the mean time I have to request you
will prepare your Accounts and put them in a situation
that much time may not be required.
I expect Mr Swan will write you when he is
prepared for the business, and as this business may be
completed at a trifling expence on your part, I would
suggest the Idea of allowing Mr Swan some Compensation
for his kindness and trouble_ as soon as Mr Swan informs
me that your accounts are closed and the balance returned

64
I will forward the Certificates for your Commutation in the
manner you may direct_
The Death of Mr. Pierce, which happened on
Saturday Morning last occasions this address, at present
the department devolves, and will be conducted by me
untill Congress are pleased to make a new Appointment.
I am Sir
M. Obt Servt
Joseph Howell
To
Ebenezer Storer