Letter from Elias to the pagarch Papas about work on the canal of Latopolis TM 39088unbekannt

[recto] † After I had written the previous letter, another courier came with a letter of our master the most praised amir, in which he wrote reproaching me that it had become known […] about the canal of Lato(polis), that until now nothing worth mentioning has been done on the work on it. And he ordered me to send my notary, who is to stay for its excavation, and to look into the roll-call (adnoumen) of the workmen each day, and to press on with its business, whether for the cleaning or for the excavation of the remainder of each, so that the work may be completed within ten or fifteen days. And I was compelled to neglect my own small affairs and to send John my notary, because of the inexorable order of our master the most praised amir. And it is necessary for you, as he wrote ordering me, to toil whether at the cleaning or at the excavation of the remainder of the new (canal). So, if you wish to get away quickly from there and come straight to your own works, find out your share, whether of the old or of the new, and complete the works and withdraw. For we cannot disobey the orders of our master […] † Pachon 9, indiction 12 † [verso] † To the all-admired and most honoured brother Papas, pagarch of Apollonos Ano, † Elias, notary †