[Docket, written on exterior of folded letter:] Walnut Hills 16. May 1798 John McKee — came [undecipherable] to receive a letter from Panton [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] Lewis [undecipherable] has kept Lewis open'd and took it & him to Phila. — wish to stand well w[ith] [undecipherable] his and in care of a [undecipherable] to receive employ[ment]s [Docket, right margin:] rec^d [undecipherable] 1798 Walnut Hills May 16^th 1798. Sir, I make the opportunity by return of Lieu^t Butler of inclosing to you a letter for M^r Samuel Lewis jun^r covering receipts for five hundred Dollars forward to me from your office by Major Freeman I came a few days past from Natchez to this post to receive a letter from M^r John Forbes (Panton Leslie & Co) which was put into the hands of Cap^t Rickard at the Chickasaw Bluffs for the purpose of forwarding to me. I have applied to him and he informs me that Cap^t Thomas Lewis obtained the letter from him and opened it, and he believes by orders probably from you— I confess I do not believe Cap^t Rickard, as I am confident that from a full examination of W. Blounts affair the only thing that ever could have drawn my name into suspicion, it will appear that I neither knew nor suspected his intentions, Whatever suspicions you may have entertained I am confident they must be removed before before this reaches you; — I am extremely anxious they should, as the prospect of the United States being involved in a war makes me more solicitous to stand on such ground at your office and generally with the Executive as may afford me an opportunity of serving my country in some more respectable situation than I have heretofore been placed in — I have been for several years in the service of the United States and I wish to continue in their service. On you and you alone I depend for placing me in such a situation on the event of any new arangements being made as you may think me intitled to. I will set out in a few days for Orleans where I will do whatever may be in my power to be useful, and particularly to put your mind at ease on the subject of the memorandum, whatever may be the result I own can communicate it to any but yourself. I have the honor to be with sincere esteem and respect Your Obedient Servant John McKee The Hon^ble James M^cHenry Es^qr. Sec^y of War.