General Knox Feb. [date undecipherable, first number is 2], 1787 New York, 24 February, 1787 My dear Sir, Mr Payson, the bearer has been a reputable inhabitant of Massachusetts but is now in great distress owing to some especially unhappy circumstances in his family. He has applied to me for some employment which would give him bread, but there is nothing [undecipherable word] in my disposal. As the military arrangements in Massachusetts may occasion demands, for persons in the quartermaster, or accompanying line, he conceives that he may obtain some subordinate appointment under your patronage. I am persuaded from my knowledge of Mr. Payson, that there are duties which he could fulfill to the justification of [undecipherable word] who [undecipherable word] recommend, or employ him. I am my dear Sir, With great [undecipherable word] & affection Your very humble servant HKnox The hon. Major Genl Lincoln