[Joseph] [XXVII - 785] [1594] my dear Harry Boston Jan^y 9. 1791. Until I rec^d your sh^t note of the 28^th Dec^r (which came to hand by the post on Wednesday Even) I was very much at a loss to account for not hearing from you and my anxiety was exceeding great to know the cause of it, as such an interval had never taken place since our first acquaintance — as I never received a Letter from him M^r [undecipherable] with half the pleasure that Rec^d yours of the 28, and altho it was but a few lines — you acknowledge an omission, and which I trust is full attonement for your silence — but mind you do not distress me in the same manner again — I hope your Paper is come to hand in good order, it was well put up and the Cap^t promise'd me he would take it into his Cabbin where no water or damp wou'd come to it, we have accounts of the Brig having arrived in Philadelphia in a few days — The inclosed is the Execution against your [underline: Coachman], which I have Satisfied as p^r receipts on the back — I am clear the money was due, as I attended at the Justices & heard the evidence on the Tryal — I had the cause put of for three weeks & wrote you to mention it to Richard that he might forward any evidence he had — but hearing nothing on the Subject, the business was closed, & that is the result of it — News we have none here, except a confirmation that the dispute between England & Spain is made up — this comes by a Ship which arrived here yesterday from Halifax, which left there some the middle of the November Packet — I cannot but joy I am Sorry, as I wished for a War, as in that case Some new objects would turn up, for the advantage of this Country — I have mentioned my wishes to you, as it respects myself — and I am sure you will not be unmindful of me — as to Militia, had I not accepted of the appointment to the last Federal Regiment, I Should this moment have the Commission of Adjutant General of this State, as I had the offer of it from Governor Bowdoin, and had accepted it, and only waited for the Court to come together to give me the Rank of Major General — I was in that Situation at the time I was applied to take Command of a Federal Regiment, and at the time it was disbanded, the vacancy of Adj^t was filled [strikethrough: by another] by Col^o Keith, and when he resign'd, you know the motives that induced the present appointment — I only mention this to bring to your view, that by my accepting a Continental appointment, it has deprived me of a Standing on the [underline: Militia Staff], that may probably be a governing principle in the appointments that may be necessary in the establishment of the Militia and to which my Rank & Standing would entitle me to — my love to your family — yours affectionate — H. JACKSON Gen^l H Knox —