Boston May 20^th 1789 Sir Cap^t. Constant Freeman The Establishment of the Fœderal Government encourages those who have been devo-(ted) -ted to the public service from their early youth to look for employment. The business I am now in, though much better than that of many of my fellow officers, still is far from eligible. I barely subsist on my pay. A Hope that I shall be better provided for, induces me to solicit your patronage & influence to procure me a Post under the New Goverment. My prediliction for the Army leads me to prefer a command to all other employments; But as I suppose it will be some time before there will be any additional Troops raised; I should be happy could I obtain a Civil appointment which would give me a decent subsistance. I need say nothing Sir to you of my qualifications to public life: you well know all I have done to that point. But I feel a confidence which every honest man will feel, that Congress can not employ a person who will serve them with greater zeal and more fidelity. Forgive Sir, the interruption which this must give from more weighty concerns. I am sensible you must be addressed from all parts of the Country on Subjects similar to this. But as I owe you are Sir the cause. The polite attention I received from you when I was in New York, and the many marks of friendship you have shown me before & since, conspired to make me believe that I might on an occasion like this address myself to you. My very good Friend General Jackson does me the honor of inclosing this in one of his. I have the Honor to be Sir Your much Obliged and Humble Servant [signed] Constant Freeman Jun^r [address panel:] Hon. Gen^l Knox.