[Docket: Calef Bowles / [undecipherable] 1790] To the Honourable Henry Knox Esq^r Ralph H. Bowles. Machias 14 Sep '90 Sir permit me once more to ask your [undecipherable] affections to be my friend — my former application for Collector at this Port was to Pat, but it appears to me, that Congress will very soon have a Continental Excise, I have wrote to General Jackson & wish to bottom my [undecipherable] upon [undecipherable] influenced of his, to place me to an appointment in this Country — It cannot wish to trouble the President, or in other words I have [he] has so much to attend to, that I am fearfull of offending him Should I presume to send him a Letter, but permit me as an old soldier to inform you that I have a wish, that the President should know, that I lived in the Shire town of the [undecipherable: new rising?] County of Washington, and of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] will be your [undecipherable] — Eight years did I serve in the American Army & in eight grade, & the word furlough or leave of absence never was placed against my name for I was in the field from 1775 to May 1, 1784 — as follows — Private soldier 2 [Months] Corporal --- 4 [undecipherable] 1^st --- 4 1^st Major 1 Ensign 8 2^d Lieut & Adj~ 6 1^st Lieut & Adj~ 60 Capt by Brevet & [Brig]~ in N. York [?] 1 96 Gen^l Jackson kept you Gen^l Jackson kept [undecipherable] 1763757 and disbanded very much to my disadvantage & in the best affect as I was disbanded, & lost every article I had on board, on [returning?] to Boston by Gen. Jacksons request. However my Dear General, I must confess to you I hate to beg — but the former appt made for this Post, as well this, my friend have desired me to make interest for, and I find [undecipherable] has been [undecipherable] are or will be made, if there are Excises or any other Officers appointed in the County of Washington. — my great and good General said at the public meeting, he would do all in his power for his army (his retiring) if they were good Citizens, & it did not injure his Country. and you my good Sir desired me to ask you or any thing that it was in yr power to bestow. — is the reason of my now troubling you to read this Letter — M^r Power has the goodness to offer you this, he can inform you if agreeable the news in our Eastern Country and the situation of yr Obed^t Serv^t Ralph H. Bowles Machias 14^th Sept 1790 —