Newport Rhode island Aug. 23. 1797 Dear Sir, Excuse the liberty I take of writing to you, but this is to inform you, that having not yet recived the amount of my rations, Due to me, as a Cadet from the 15^th day of September to the 31.^st of december 1796. at the rate of 18^cents and from the 1^st day of January to the 1^st of march 1797. at the rate of 16^cts and 4/5 per ration, (M^r Garrism being to far, to can possibly, Settle with him on that Subject,) I desire you would be So kind, as to do it for me; it will be more easy for you in Settling M^r Garriffm's account, to mention him also mine, as having been pay'd by you, and if you could but grant me the favor of Sending to me the amount of the above account, I Shall feel myself infinitely obliged to you for your kindness towards me. having not likewise been pay'd for my rations of July, as a lieutenant, and being not able to have it done here, on account of my arrival to this place, with captain Elliott; but in the month of aug: you will oblige me also, by Sending the amount of our pay for July and august to him to it, whatever may be the amount of my rations from the 15^th September to the 1^st of march 1797 and also the amount of my two rations a day for the month of July at the rate of 16^cents and 4/5 p^r. as I Suppose Captain Elliott has allso Written to the Secretary of war on our arrival to this place, I believe it is needless to mention to you the tedious and long passage, we had, having been ten days, coming from Philadelphia to this place. I have the honor Dear Sir, to be with the greatest respect. your most obed.^t humble Servant S. Landais Lieut^t in the corps of art^y & Eng^rs [address panel:] M^r Simon accountant at the war's office. [docket, verso:] Landais Hillis Lill. Feb^ry 4 1st 1797 [undecipherable] Philip Landau [undecipherable: ?au. of?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]