Fragmentary sheet of papyrus with hieratic letter in black, in thick, large, cursive signs, with one vertical, 21+2 (or 3?) horizontal and five horizontal (left edge) lines on recto, four horizontal (right side) lines and endorsement on verso. Badly torn, broken along fold lines. Petrie lot No. III.4. The letter, from Khemen to his superior, documents an incident whereby the superior has promised the use of a boat to the lord's attendant, Iwa, but has not informed Khemen. As Khemem was not aware of this, he found himself in an uncomfortable position. This letter explains the situation and asks the lord to come by himself to check the count of the fishes. A postscript was added after the letter had been folded.
The text has been translated as:
'To the lord—life, prosperity and health!—well.
From Khemem
I, the Steward Khemem says to the Overseer of the Chamber (name lost—life, prosperity and health! the following):
This is a communication to the lord—life, prosperity and health! that all its affairs are completely safe and sound as much as I desire and thanks to the favour of the god Sobek, lord of the town of Reshewey, King Amenemhat IV—may he live for ever and ever! and all the gods.
This is a communication to the lord—life, prosperity and health!
Did someone send a letter to inform me about the decision of the lord? How else could I know about his decision? The matter is that the mat-boat has been taken by Sehetepibre southwards, while I am here, left alone. Meanwhile, the attendant of the lord, Ita, has been assigned to the labour-duty. … He requested a cargoboat to harpoon 10 catches of fish for the lord. Then, he took the 500 gutted fish that he caught.
I am sending this letter to inform you that I would like it to be counted on the quay of Per-Kheny by the lord himself. I have sent Ita to return in order to …
This is a communication about it.
The Deputy Senwosret, Overseer of the High Steward
This is a communication that the affairs of the lord—life, prosperity and health! …
PS:
Year 6, month 1 of the season of the season of growth, day 2
I have just been informed that the lord—life, prosperity and health! is coming to the pyramid complex of the King Senwosret II!'.
