[Charleston 30 Oct^r 1798 [undecipherable: Min Curtis?] No 2 — 19 Nov^r [undecipherable] [undecipherable: Genl Adams?]] [free] [undecipherable: Jno?] [undecipherable] Cummins Esq^r Accountants Office Adjutant General's Office [undecipherable: Trenton?] Charleston October 30 1798 I received by last post your favour of 8^th [strikethrough: that] advising me that M^r. Sterns the Supervisor would pay me the sum of three thousand four hundred thirty three dollars ⁶²/₁₀₀ in order to enable me to make payment of the same to M^r Thomas Bennits on account of a contract made by me, on behalf the United States, with him dato 7^th September last. The supervisor on paying me this money presented to me the form of a receipt in which he denominated himself the Agent of [strikethrough: the department] of the War Department and rather than impede [strikethrough: the service] I conformed to his terms — I mention this in order that the absurdity which appears on the face of my receipt may not attach to me. I inclose you the receipt of M^r Bennits for the said sum of three thousand four hundred & thirty three dollars ⁶²/₁₀₀ in the form prescribed by you — I remain Sir your obed^t Ser^t William Cummins E^sq [undecipherable: Wm Beatts?]