[Private] [BOSTON postal mark, 31] Hon^ble Maj.^r General Knox Sec^y at war New Goshen [docket notation, lower right: undecipherable name / from [undecipherable] / Colo 15 May 1789] Boston May, 31 1789 My dear Sir Some time since I wrote to the President stating to him that before the war my property was a small new England farm part of which I spent during the conflict, that from the changed state of the finances of the united States I was induced to sell the property I had in [undecipherable], as unimproved lands in the eastern part of our State they were not now productive nor valued, they now fell. That the property I held in the [undecipherable] of this State I could not realize any thing which reduced me to [feel] the alternative of going east & beginning the world anew, after forty years close application to business, or offer my self as I then did as a candidate for some office under the new government — if there seemed be an opening for one which in his opinion [undecipherable] with advantage to the publick, done to which I could approach with equal pretensions to any other man what ever — I did not write to you on the subject for I knew you to be too my much my friend to need my asking for your influence. your late kind [undecipherable] out in my favor tells me I determined and that you are entitled to my most entire thanks which please to accept I am so confident that I shall alw[ay]s have your aid when you can lend it me consis- tently with the publick good — and when it can be done with- out injury to an other that to [ask?] it would hurt my feelings & I think it could not add to your happiness, as it would occasion some doubt — My affectionate regards to M^rs Knox & your good children and believe me with the utmost esteem your Affectionate friend [signature: undecipherable] His Gen^l Knox