May 16, 1798 – John McKee to James McHenry – Cincinnati (Walnut Hills), Ohio

Sir,

I make the opportunity by return of Lieutenant Butler of enclosing to you a letter for Mr. Samuel Lewis covering receipts for $500 forwarded to me from your office by Major Freeman.

I came a few days past from Natchez to this post to receive a letter from Mr. John Forbes (Panton, Leslie & Company) which was put into the hands of Captain Rickard at the Chickasaw Bluffs for the purpose of forwarding to me. I have applied to him, and he informs me that Captain Thomas Lewis obtained the letter from him and opened it, and he believed by orders probably from you – I confess I do not believe Captain Rickard, as I am confident that from a full examination of Mr. Blount’s 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 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 acceptable 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. Only you and you alone I depend for placing me in such a situation on the event of any new arrangements being made as you may think me entitled.

I will set out for 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 *illegible*, whatever may be the result I never can communicate it to *illegible* but yourself. I have the honor to be with sincere esteem and respect.

Your obedient servant,

John McKee