Philadelphia May 20, 1798 Respected Friend Joseph Howell These are to desire the kind favor the to call on one — Burrall of Burl[?]fortknard is in a hustle dispatch'd in settling the public accounts, & know of him if he has the books of John Mitchell late P.M.G. & if he pays on liquidated Certificates in that department, as I unfortunately lost one, a copy of a check I now enclose, for thy better information as it belongs to a poor man who feel it into my hands for sale, I would be glad to assist him in the recovery of, or securing the same thy kind service would be obliging to the man & shall be deem'd a great favor done thy friend Thomas Shute N.B. — The man is very illiterate & I believe has evil council & thinks he can make me pay it — I pity his ignorance & would do what I can to save him — I have given him the original certificate from J. Mitchell of the included copy — Joseph Howell esq^r --- Philadelphia 18^th July 1798 Sir The bearer M^r Roberts is employ'd by John Harris Martin & John Whiteman John Inglis & [undecipherable] whose certificates remain with the Accountant, to endeavor if possible to forwards their Settlements —