[NewburyPort Dec^r 21 Dec 1789— John Tracy—] NewburyPort December 21. 1789. 5516 John Tracy my dear Sir I am very sorry to have occasion to give any my friends trouble or anxiety for me or my family, particularly you, whose time is so fully occupied. — my Father has so left my Childrens Estate, that I see no prospect then twelve months of prosecuting my intention of settleing in the Western Country; this is a very great mortification to me. their real Estate if disposed off must be for real Estate of equal value, to be determined by three persons appointed by the Judge of Probate, could I effect an exchange; their personal property would sell for such a trifle at present, that it would not answer the purpose of settleing myself, without distressing them very much, and perviaps more than they can bear — my friends tell me if I can support myself, a year or two here, they have no doubt the times will be better for me, and then if I feel a disposition to settle I can purchase an Estate in that Country under Cultivation, upon this view my prospect is very slender — into Trade unless their is a Statute of Bankruptey takes place. I cannot go — an Estate which consists of a large House and ten acres of land only, will not support me — If I dispose of my Furniture at present it must go for a song — in a word, I must look to my Country, a Country that I neither spared my party, Labour or Attention to support, when in my Power but on the contrary, the confidence I placed was my ruin — I do not reflect on myself or my Country, I was happy in Finding or Joining with them — I flatter myself my Friends will give me the credit of Honesty, attention and Industry when in Business — Had I not a connection which is dearer to me than Life itself I should not make this application — I [undecipherable] an opening in the Customs which would answer every purpose of giving me the necessaries and conveniences of Life, for which I refer you to my Friends M^r Dalton & M^r King to whom I write on the subject; the Gentleman mentioned in M^r Dalton's letter as a Collector of Excise has a Character every way equal to the Importance of that office — your steping in at this period with your Influence will serve a family whom I am certain you have a regard & Friendship for — We have endeavourd to bare our misfortunes with credit and reputation — and when in affluence every Politeness and attention in our power, was paid by us to those who were Sacrificing the flower of their life in the Field, for their Country — under these Circumstances I am emboldned to apply to my Country — I feel a Confidence in myself that I shall be a faithful Servant, and fully earn the support allowed. — I must request you to pardon me for the trouble I give you in this matter — your great politeness and attention to me, and my present distressed situation is my apology — We condole with you and your Lady in the loss of your little one — M^rs Tracy joins me in best respects to yourself & Lady I am Sir your most obedient and very Hum^ble Ser^t John Tracy The Honorable Henry Knox