Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 9506, for Henry Brockholst Livingston, New Jersey
Page 32

West Point Jany 17th 1784

Sir, 
I do myself the honor to reinclose your
certificate from the Secretary at War, and am
obliged to suspend for the present the admission
of your claim for commutation.
The Resolves granting the half pay you will
find, extend to those Officers only who continue
in the service to the end of the War, and in all
the partial derangements, except that of December 31st 1781, there has been a particular promise which has given it. In this last mentioned instance there is an obscure negative clause, which as it grants nothing but what was before given, I cannot construe to extend beyond or place you in a better situation, than what the former resolutions entitle you.
I am sensible of the inequality of these resolutions, but must be bound by them until I have further directions.
Most Obedient Servant
Pw Pierce
Col. Henry B Livingston