[APN — 175] [55a] Newburyport 15^th Mar 1790 Sir I should long before this have ack^d your civility in replying to my letter in Sep^r last & for your address in offering your influence when any appointment come in the way, but was unwilling to intrude on your time. An Officer will probably be appointed to collect the Excise in this place w^ch appointment would be agreable to me. having been as my self in the line of [undecipherable: public] & I think I can discharge the duties of that office to approbation — I have therefore to solicit your friendship & influence — Should there be no Excise or continental Cause, on hand — State one to take place in May, & have the appointment of Inspector to this Port, w^ch puts me in the list of Revenue Officers — very respectfully I am Sir your most ob^t Servant — W^m Pike [Henry Knox]