[Page 1 is marked as illegible by the archive.] [Newbury Port [date obscured]] [M^rs Margrat Tracy.] [answered the 8^th Nov:] [The arrangement of the Militia officers would be with the State — found [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] M^r Tracy on [undecipherable] &—] Newbury Port Oct: 6 178[undecipherable] M^rs Margrat Tracy my Dear Sir your known character as a friend to humanity and being at the head of a Depart- -ment of which M^r Tracy is a small branch leads me to presume to ask your friendship in a matter of the greatest importance to my happiness — it is suggested how the place M^r Tracy holds of Inspector and Deputy Adjutant General of this county may be of some import- -ance it was presented him by M^r Bowdoin when in the [undecipherable] and who I dare say will recommend him for the continuance of it as will any other gentleman if it is necessary — [undecipherable] be known to you if of there to such matters in Prospect and rather I may hope for M^r Tr- continuing in the place your Interess [undecipherable] with happiness to the branch it has long been a stranger too it is unknown to M^r Tracy that I make this request and I coud with it to remain so. It was by accident I heard this matter suggested and you will allow I dare say the situation of an unfortunate Man to be too Delicate to be all ways calling on his friends which makes me affraid M^r Tracy will Decline doing any thing in this matter him self — and must be an apology for my presuming to do it — should any thing of this kind take place with the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] may prevent us from seeking an Asylum in any region so distant from all our friends — would it not be interfering too much with Business of more im- portance to you I will thank you for a line on the subject and feel my self very much obliged by you — Inclosing it to my Brother who will enclose this to you — I beg of you to forgive this threedome and to treat with Candor the Inconvenience of stile and manner — you will Permit me to request of you to present my best respectful Complements to M^rs Knox and believe me your friend & humble Servant Margrat Tracy Hon.^ble General Knox