New York 27 May 1789 Sir I have received your letter of the 20^th instant I do not know of any vacancies in the public offices at present — should any arise [strikethrough: the Hey least the department to he who have the direction] of them most probably have previous engagements which would prevent the success of any application of mine in your favor — Wherefore you should receive an explicit promise from some person who may have the power of [strikethrough: granting] Candor constrains me to advise you not to rely on any collateral [undecipherable] so as to prevent your career [undecipherable] elsewhere — however any circumstance should unexpectedly [undecipherable] up to what I [undecipherable] you in the manner you request & [undecipherable] out [undecipherable] your continued [undecipherable] occupation I am Sir Your most obedient humble [servant] H Knox [Mr William Balph[undecipherable]] [postal notation: undecipherable, right margin]