[To Capt Constant Freeman 15 July 1789 –] New York 15 July 1789 Dear Sir I am indeed very much ashamed that I have hitherto omitted the acknowledgy the receipt of your favor of the 28^th of May, and the more especially so as it has been my constant intention to have answered it by every [undecipherable] since I received it— [strikethrough: to remit] be unavoidable, and [strikethrough: inspected this I shall] [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] to be a [undecipherable: falacious] apology, that there was neither want of [undecipherable] [strikethrough: attachment] that has prevented me— You judge truly when you suppose that it was [undecipherable] long before Congress [undecipherable] has [undecipherable] [strikethrough: Prepare] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: civil] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: undecipherable] but [undecipherable] [undecipherable] independently necessary, and as acknowledged [undecipherable] [undecipherable] reasonable men— The exigences of government therefore must regulate this point entirely— It would really afford me pleasure to be instrumental in [strikethrough: drawing for] your [undecipherable] on the [strikethrough: some] line so congenial to your dispositions If there should be any eligible civil employment [undecipherable: of which] you should be desirous, and I should have the power to serve you therein I should chearfully exert myself— were you to [undecipherable] to have [strikethrough: the] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] you should have placed your [strikethrough: own] or any [undecipherable: particular] place it would [undecipherable] happen for you [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] come to the [undecipherable] of you & [undecipherable] [undecipherable] you may [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I am Dear Sir Your [undecipherable] & Most obedient & humble Ser[vant] Knox Captain Constant Freeman