[Alyd O'Moore / Aug 1799 —] Dear General; I have been wishing for a long time past to address myself to you in the method I am now doing. But being unwilling to interrupt the important business of your office - & having moreover an infinite aversion to egotic subjects, I have delayed it till this moment. Impelled, however by feelings I find it impossible to suppress, I venture to obtrude myself upon you. My prospects are very similar now to what they were when I had the pleasure of an interview with you. It is needless [to] told therefore, that a change of situation is in the highest degree desireable. My business leading me very little to [undecipherable], & my [undecipherable] [undecipherable], I seldom know much of what is passing in the great world. So that altho' I have, [undecipherable] been disposed to be considered as a candidate under the federal government ever since its organization, no particular object of pursuit has presented itself to me. But having heard within the course of a few days past, that a Marshal for this district will soon be appointed, I flatter myself it may not be improper for me to intimate to you my wishes to be viewed as a candidate for that office. It would be in vain I am [sensible] to urge upon your mind considerations which fill [undecipherable] solicitude on this subject. [Tho'] I am not only certain of your readiness to serve me, but I am [sensible] that such considerations would have no weight in the decision. I have no other idea of the business than this, that, ceteris paribus, [underline: the last] will govern the appointment. Having said this much suffer me to request at as early a day as possible, your opinion fully on this point. I am the more particular in this as there is in [undecipherable] no person with whom I correspond or have formed any connection, & more especially as some arrangements of my own will be suspended on this account. Would it be improper for me to request of you further to give me your opinion, should this point be decided against me, relative to further appointments? Whether there will be any one probably obtainable, worthy of being embraced? & whether it would be of any use to lay before the president, testimonials of the past or present? M^rs [undecipherable] unites with me in most affectionate & respectful compliments to M^rs Knox. I trust fortune [undecipherable] may [undecipherable] destined be assured that with the highest respect & esteem I am [undecipherable] your most obed^t Serv^t [undecipherable] Hon. Major General Knox.