New York 26^th Sep^r 1789 Sir I have received your favor of the 13^th instant. Had I the power, it would give me pleasure to serve you consistently with my duty to the public. In the case you mention candor constrains me to say, that [strikethrough: a great] [strikethrough: it strikes my mind with great force] that your not being an actual resident of Rhode Island may be considered to be [strikethrough: of itself] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] as an insuperable objection, for a local office in that State. Notwithstanding this idea if on the whole to be [undecipherable: fair] also [undecipherable]