Shaw New Haven 8 Dec. 1789 My dear friend While I was at Rhode Island, after being [some time] at New York in September last, application was made [to my]self as being a great man [?] but as being supposed to have influence with one [?] for [?] Baltimore that I would speak to [General] Knox and beg his [good?] offices with the President of the United States to have the appointment of Collector of the [customs?] conferred on him, when the accession of Rhode Island to the Union should render such an officer necessary — with the observation, that no man in the State could have stronger pretensions than himself. The same application was made by Parson Lyman with the same [errand?], neither of [these?] [persons?] on mentioning the [other's?] pretensions, or [knowing?] of [their?] application. On my visiting Providence I was informed by [undecipherable] Beck that [undecipherable] intended in prosecution to apply for the same office and that himself would be [?] have the [?] for which he begged me to request your influence with the President to [get?] these gentlemen [?] I promised I would acquaint [you with] their [request?]. Leaving New York in much [hurry?], [when?] I neglected it, [it] was forgotten [the] last night, and I have taken the first occasion of reminding myself of the engagement. As to the [undecipherable] I observe, it is sufficient that I mention their [?] with [?] may made some [undecipherable]. [Partly?] Beck I feel much interested by the friendship founded on his own merit and a desire that he should obtain a provision for the comfort of an amiable wife and [increasing?] family. Every body at Providence gives him a good character, and a wish that he may be provided for in such a way. Is it not probably best [to?] [meet with?] [some?] of these gentlemen, [who?] [undecipherable] leave the country. I should be obliged if you will acknowledge the receipt of this letter, when you do me the favor of writing, so that I may tell them that you have considered with their request, without pledging [yourself?] to the [undecipherable] of neglect or [ingratitude?]. Believe me dear [sir?], my dear friend, most affectionately yours Shaw [General Knox] [Major Shaw to Knox] [8 Dec 1789] [Received the [undecipherable] by [undecipherable] No. 13 in which enclosed [was] a [bill?] drawn by [a?] Hammond on The [undecipherable] for 2000 Dollars [undecipherable]]