[Illegible Text. Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically] [From Jos.^h King Jan.^y 2. 1796] New h.ⁿ 2 Jan.^y 1796 Sir On my Return last from New york And hav[ing] my Papers warn'd by my Counsel was Advis'd to make no farther trial with Jacob Read. — And was Obliged to surrender my Self Prisoner of War, without Capitulation, Otherwise to pay debt & Costs, the latter Amounting to about 48 Dollars. — I have now a Receipt from the true Jacob Read for the Amount of the Certificate due to him. — The Only Chance I have left is on Obtaining it from W.^m Phillips and M.^r Thomas, — I have lately wrote two Letters to M.^r Thomas, giving him a particular Account of the Matter, Offering to bear One third of the Costs provided I am put to no further Costs or Trouble; — Now I have to beg of you not to give up the forged Receipt if they should [undecipherable] could ever detect you the the cost of the Certificate in question. — I expect to be in New york about three or four weeks hence And shall lodge the true Receipt and beg the forged One. — If the Postmasters or Either of them shall Call on you for the pay due to them for which I have lodged one in your hands, I beg you will tell them to Come to me, As nearly the value of the whole is Coming to me — I am, Sir your humble Servant Joseph h. King Capt. Howell.