May it please your Excellency,
Being hon'd with the appointment of Commissary General of Prisoners in the army of the States of America, it is absolutely necessary that I should be immediately provided with an account of all the expenses & disbursements of the different States in favor of the several prisoners taken from the King of Great Britain; in order that the accounts may be ready for settlement with General Howe, whenever we shall be called on for that purpose. I am therefore instructed by his Excellency General Washington to beg the favor of your Excellency to order all accounts of expenses & disbursements (as well those that have already been paid, as those which are yet due) made by your State in favor of such prisoners, to be immediately transmitted to me at Head Quarters, with the several authenticated vouchers for the same. I must also beg a return of such prisoners as are at present in your State, with the particular places where confined, their rank, &c.,