[address leaf: General H. Knox / Secretary of War / Philadelphia] [docketed: C. o. [undecipherable]] Sunday Eveg. March 25. 1792 — Dear H[enry] — The inclosed Letter from M^r [strikethrough: (270)] William Hunt is recommending M^r John Patten of Watertown for an appointment in the Federal Troops. the young Man I am unacquainted with but he appears a fine likely young Fellow, of gentle address & manners of about 23 or 24 years of age — General Hull knows him he is the Son of M^r Patten of Watertown — I think he will make an active good officer — he is very anxious to become a Soldier — I mentioned to you M^r Elent. Hunt would an appointment, I have since seen him, he will not accept of a Subalterns Commission — there are but few Men in the United States that are more able to command a Company than M^r Kent, — I consider him as one of the first rate officers — General Hull will give you his Character, — he was a [underline: Sergeant] — Sergeant Major — and Ensign in my Regiment, he was one of the most active officers in the Army, and left Service only for his Health. God bless you H. Knox[?] [address: Gen^d. H[enry] Knox]