[General Henry Knox Secretary at War frot New York [Endorsements, bottom right, inverted:] answered the 25^th 29 [undecipherable] 1789 [undecipherable]] Boston Sep^t 13 1789— my dear Henry [undecipherable] — your favor of the 6 Inst came safe to hand by the Post on Thursday Even[ing —] I thank you for your care of those which you enclosed. it was from my [undecipherable: sister?] in [undecipherable] giving us an account of the death of her eldest daughter, a young lady of 17 years. you may remember her, to have [seen?] her here. She left this Country about two years since — this with the death of Uncle John Gray has given a [severe?] Shock to my [undecipherable] & aged [undecipherable] & they both appear to be wasting [fast?] — I was much distress'd at the information — respecting your daugh[ter] [undecipherable], but from the account you gave me of [the] [undecipherable] at the time you wrote, I please mys[elf —] [undecipherable: Hopes?] no want of [all] danger — her mother cert[ainly?] — must have enter'd [upon?] the fever was checked — The last accounts we had from M^r [undecipherable: Swan?] was in May last, he was then in [undecipherable] & by a Gentleman lately from that country, M^r S. is writing a Book by which he expects to make his fortune — The French Squadron are at anchor in the Harbour. on Wednesday last the Commander with all the Officers of the Fleet came on Shore & paid their respects to his Excellency the [Gov.?] who received them (attended by his Council & a number of Gentlemen of the Town) with the greatest politeness & attention. he had a Table spread the whole length of his Hall covered with Wine of every kind Cakes & fruit for the [season?] — they appeared highly gratified with their reception — on Friday the [undecipherable: V. Comte?] with 25 of his Officers & about the [same?] number of Gentlemen of the Town, dined with the Governor, we had a most [undecipherable: sumptious?] entertainment — his Excellency is in good health & in fine spirits — I believe the French will [undecipherable] their [undecipherable] my sincerely love — I am afraid I have said too much to you on the Subject of an appointment. As I have, I leave you with as much [undecipherable] as I have, found reason to wish myself better employed than I am at present — some unexpected door may open in the line of the Revenue I will therefore wait with patience, as I should certainly give the preference to that department — I have this day written you a Letter in favor of M^r [undecipherable]. he is every thing that can be said of him as a Man of [undecipherable] & integrity, Dou[bt?] his [undecipherable] may be [undecipherable] his equally deserving & has a large family to support the only objection that can be made to him is, he is not at this time residing in that State — M^r [undecipherable] with [kind?] of your friends find their love to yours M^r [undecipherable] — my love to you all — god bless you I believe your [undecipherable] [undecipherable] W. [undecipherable] Gen^l Knox —