[To mr. Knox] New York 20^th Sept^r 1789 Sir I have received your favor of the 12^th instant. Had I the power, it would give me pleasure to serve you consistently with my duty to the public. In the [undecipherable: manner] you mention candor constrains me to say, that a [undecipherable] [strikethrough: strikes my mind with great force] that your not being an actual resident of Rhode Island may be considered to the jurors of [undecipherable: application] as an insuperable objection for a local office in that State. Notwithstanding this idea if you chuse to [undecipherable: transmit] a letter to the President of the United States by whom all nominations are made I will deliver it [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] and state to him the person requesting [undecipherable] your support I am Dear Sir with great respect Your most obedient humble ser^t M^r MM Ha[undecipherable]