I am unable to express the sense I have of your kindness, in the instance of your writing to General Lincoln, on the 6th of last June respecting an extra allowance from the Publick, as head of the ordnance, and during the time I have been in the command of these posts. Your letter to him, was so full, and complete, that I did not think another word, would have been necessary to have obtained the compensation requested. I am really astonished that it has not answered the end and totally ignorant of the reasons. To obtain some information, and if possible, a favorable resolve, is the sole reason of Major Shaws journey. He will make the necessary enquiries, and inform your Excellency of the present state & the application. I have such an opinion of the honor of Congress, that they only want full information to render equal justice to all their servants.

If the request should not have been presented to Congress, in a manner tending to ensure success or should not have been presented at all, perhaps it [is] well to drop the claim for an extra allowance as Matter of ordnance and prefer the one for the time I have been in command at this place. It is upon this principle I have taken the liberty to address a publick letter to your Excellency, submitting entirely to the propriety of bringing it before Congress in its new form with such observations as you should please to add in a favor, or to persevere in the first application.

I hope it cannot be thought an unreasonable solicitation, to be placed upon the same footing with my predecessors, as an equality of rewards for the same services is but common justice. General McDougall by a Special application in Augt 80 obtained compensation for the time he previously commanded here, and afterwards in consequence [of] a resolve of Congress, Generals Heath, McDougall, and [   ] Patterson obtained the same.

I have experienced too many instances of your favorable regards, not to rely with confidence upon your interest in an affair, upon which you have so fully given your opinion.

As Major Shaw is going abroad, a certificate of his services, under your Excellencys hand might be of the greatest utility to him. I should say everything in his favor—But your Excellency knows him.

Mrs Knox joins me, in presenting our respectful compliments to Mrs Washington, and our ardent wishes for the perfect reestablishment of her health. I am my dear sir with the greatest attachment, Your most obedient Servant