New York August 30. 1796 on the 4^th instant I persued Captain John Pleles agaist your Instructions — I took the rout to Crown Point by the way of N U — at Lenned in Massachusetts I was informed by a Captain Bliss, who was perfectly acquainted with Pleles that he passed thro' town on Sunday the 4^th of July which was the evening he absconded — at Littleton a town about twelves miles from Lenned he had stoped the play to night, but also owned the greatest anxiety to get forward pleading for new cases that he had a brother sick at Belfast, which required his immediate presence — This information I had from one Widow in Farmers Harger where he lodged & who appeared to me to be an intelligent man. I received no information that I could depend on after this untill I arrivied at Lake Champlain which was not untill the 20^th my journey being extremely impeded by bad roads & the circuitous route I was obliged to take to gain intelligence. after my being at Lake Champlain five days, I was informed not at Colchester Point a surer order over from there to Canada (with a horse) fully convincing the discription of Capt Pleles however there are seven leavens for I am fully of opinion that he has gone to Quebec or to some other place in Canada — I am Sir with the greatest regret [Pleas dir M^of] Do believe Your Most W[undecipherable] S. [undecipherable]