New york 4 July 1789 Madam — This [undecipherable] past I find Negligence [in not] receiv[ing] the favor of [your] [undecipherable] dated 19^th [of] Jun — I should have answered, immediately You judge truly [strikethrough: undecipherable] whereby I think [undecipherable] satisfaction in serving any of your family — all that I do at present is to advise the wisest mode of proceeding most likely to effect the object desired As the President of the [United States] has the nomination to all offices [strikethrough: it is necessary] thus all applications must be made before him accordingly — It is therefore suggesting that Major H. Warren should immediately write to the President, stating the [specifically?] [the object] of his [request] — It would be proper that his letter be accompanied by vouchers of his character — [undecipherable] accepting for the [Office] and Mr. Gordon [undecipherable] would be for good [to sign] his paper — [strikethrough: undecipherable] [strikethrough: undecipherable] the merchants or principal people also of Plymouth and Dartmouth [to sign another] [something] declaring [strikethrough: undecipherable] declaration of their [undecipherable] desire [of] his being the Officer it would be after [undecipherable] purpose his request — As the President is desired to make his nominations on the highest principles of impartiality, those who can produce before the best evidence of their qualifications for the offices particularly are [candidates] and also of their being acceptably to [those?] commonly will undoubtedly receive [the best] support — [strikethrough: undecipherable] As to As the Military Establishment since [probably] be augmented, [strikethrough: undecipherable] no new appointments can take place — When [the act], [strikethrough: undecipherable] a [there will be] happen[ing] of [being] [strikethrough: undecipherable] to [better] for augmentation [should take place] upon [themselves?] to be [unacquainted?] as to ascertain the views of M^r. W. Warren [should] seize and secure the opportunity The machine of government has [been] [strikethrough: necessarily] long required a considerable length of time to put into motion — but it is undoubtedly before [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as may answer the publick expectation — The President has been quite feeble [since] on the recovery although his disorder [does] require his return it is believed — The minds of Mrs Knox & my[self] have been forever exercised between hope and [fear] for some days past, [respecting] the life of one of [our] dear Children & had hoped the crisis is past, and that it is the Will of the Supreme Providence of life to bless us with a longer existence on this globe — [Undecipherable] please to present me [most respectfully] to the General. I am Madam most [respectfully] yourself [your most devoted] H Knox