Portland Nov^r 19^th 1798 Sir I receivd your informing me that the pay for myself & the recruits under my command was forwarded to Mr Wentworth Supervisor for this District, but owing to some mistake the bills could not be negotiated in my favore, when I can be I shall accept to be accountable & shall obtain from the troops their signature to their receipts according to the instructions I have receivd I am with respect your obedient servant John Blake Leu^t in the corps of Art^s & Engineers Joseph Howell Esq^r [Nov^r 19. 1798 L^t Jn^o Blake L^t in the S. A. M. &c. Joseph Howell Esq^r Accountants Office Philadelphia Pen^a]