[To Genl Lincoln 26 July 1789] [Genl Lincoln XXIV— 114 2366] New York 26 July 1789 My dear friend I received your favor of the [undecipherable] by the post of Thursday last— M^r Lowell's character has been [strikethrough: favourably] presented before the President in the [strikethrough: best] manner to which it was justly entitled— the Whether a personal application would be in any degree necessary I cannot say— that would in my mind depend almost entirely on the opinion of the gentleman himself— Certain it is if he should think it necessary for him to offer himself for public employment the circumstance in or [undecipherable] would be known only [strikethrough: to the] [undecipherable] the President [undecipherable] I know the opinion of this [undecipherable] has been [undecipherable: highly favorable?] [undecipherable] [Lincoln] The house of representatives will take up the Judicial bill tomorrow— if they do not give it [undecipherable] next days it will not probably be ready for the Presidents Signature before the [undecipherable] next month, so that if M^r Lowell should think there [undecipherable] there will be ample time for it The collectors for collecting the revenue will not be [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] days— Soon after which the appointments must be made— I sincerely hope that you may be honored [undecipherable] speedily [undecipherable] your wishes— Fortune and that [undecipherable] of personal [undecipherable] and that [undecipherable] will both concur in the [undecipherable] of them [undecipherable] not be real improvement [undecipherable] appointments— I am your sincerely affectionate friend [H.]