a copy of his warrant of commission ; a note from hal as colonel of the regiment , detaching lieutenant colonel john grey temporarily from service and desiring him to undertake the task of locating and assisting one mrs. benjamin grey ( nee amaranthus cowden ) , widow of captain benjamin grey , late of the thirty-fourth foot ; a `` to whom it may concern '' letter from clinton , formally recognizing grey 's mission and requesting that every courtesy and assistance be provided him in consequence thereof ; several bills of exchange drawn on coutts ' bank in new york ( `` just in case , '' hal told him .