note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

Preston 12th August 1818
(95)
Sir
The accompaning in my account against
Government for surveying for the people of colour in which you will observe that I have charged 15 per day which I hope will meet your approbation- as to compleat those surveys I have neglected executing private orders all this summer for which I would receive 20 per day and my expences paid -
In this imploy I had likewise to advance cash for my labourors which I have been little able to do. The fact is Sir that my time has been taken up the whole of this - Spring & Summer with those very troublesome [People?] on various trifling occasions that could not be charged to Government such as writing accommendations attending to disputes [etc?] and the amount of the enclosed is nearly all that I have earned since the first date of it. My other- time must be a [dead?][illegible] to me. I am now much in want of each and will be obliged to you to let me have the ballance due me as soon as you conveineantly can.
I have the Honour to be
Sir
Your Obt Servant
John Chamberlain
DJ

[Honbl] Charles Morris
Surveyor General