[Private] Boston 26^th June 1798. My dear Sir, I have often intended, in the ardor of my unqualified admiration of the measures of the Supreme executive, to express the same respectfully to you. But hitherto I have been restrained from an apprehension of intruding upon your important duties. A crisis however is rapidly approaching which renders [undecipherable: indis-] possible that the mind of the meanest citizen be known as to the part he intends to act. The other nations of the world if they are not too much occupied by the means of their own safety, and if they are, posterity will be astonished at the perseverance of the different succession of French Rulers rising upon the ruins of each other, and yet holding steadily the same unjust conduct toward us, and urging irresistably, that we either submit to be [undecipherable] ent portion of that nation, and assist in their crimes, or that we assert our own rights, and repel their disgraceful claims by force. This now is the only alternative. The conflict will be arduous. Our existence as a nation will depend on our success. We ought therefore in its commencement to take every possible precaution, and make every possible establishment, not only to limit the duration of the war to a short period, but to give it a bias towards a successful issue, from its beginning. The people will repose with confidence upon the wisdom of their government, which has managed its political anxieties with [undecipherable] in so dignified a manner; as completely to establish its own [undecipherable] purity and truth; that it will take all the necessary [undecipherable] by which the legislation will authorize to secure the United States from external injury. But whether the [undecipherable] will in the first instance be adequate, whether the legislation are solemnly impressed with the importance of such energetic laws, it shall effectually prevent internally, either opposition to our own government or [undecipherable] to an immediate enemy, are highly questionable. Timely precautions in this have very [undecipherable] much confusion, distress and bloodshed among ourselves. Every intelligent principle requires, that we should not like another [undecipherable] afford the means of our own subjugation. It may be too late after the enemy makes his appearance, to prevent effectively a movement [undecipherable] people from joining him and it will be [undecipherable] in the extreme to suppose, that we have not desperate admirers of such to [undecipherable]. Indeed we are vulnerable in the [undecipherable] fallen to an alarming degree. The British navy is the only prevention against an invasion of those States from the West India Islands. But that navy may be prevented by general causes from opposing at the moment the French. A few ships of war, and the French have a few, would in a few days convey an army of ten thousand [undecipherable] and people of colour, to repel forces from our own citizens. They might land on the defence-less parts of South Carolina or Virginia. Under such circumstances, the Slaves would instantly join them, & greatly encrease their force. I do not believe this picture is too highly coloured & the event is possible and whatever is possible the enemy will have the counterpoize to attempt. New York & its vicinity is of peculiar importance, & at the same time weakest, and too much precaution cannot be taken to prevent a lodgement there. It appears necessary that a body of troops should be in that neighborhood and another in Virginia for the double purpose of internal & external defence. New England may be left to its militia, excepting the [undecipherable] and important point of Rhode Island, which ought to be guarded by one thousand good troops for a [undecipherable] purpose. If the events here stated be possible only, and I believe them may be deemed probable, if not certain, it would then [undecipherable] that the means afforded the government should be efficiently put into effect. The expense of [undecipherable] and disciplining the army would be abundantly compensated by its utility. And if any thing could prevent an actual war, it would be the [undecipherable] preparation to meet it. The enemy are audacious in the highest degree and their success is in a great degree owing to the exercise of this principle. We have no just cause to fear our ultimate success, because it may be relied upon that our citizens are equal in perseverance, in active courage and in enterprise & stratagem to the French or any other people on the globe. But instant organization is essential. Whoever you should please to appoint as the immediate commanding officer of the provisional army you [undecipherable] I am persuaded contemplate General Washington as the efficient commander in chief. His name would be an host, and the occasion would be worthy of his name. He alone would be able to combine and draw into activity, and harmonize all that remains of the late army, that could be useful. My diffidence in [undecipherable] these sentiments is inexpressible, and only to be equalled by my respect and attachment to you. After having said so much, I should lose all self respect were I not to say, that if there be any fort of Service to which my humble abilities should be [undecipherable] equal, that I should faithfully and ardently endeavour to execute it; believing as I do, that the occasion will demand the labours of all the friends of their country to fend its rights and liberties against the all devouring rapacity of the French rulers. I have the honor to be, my dear Sir, with sincere respect & attachment your devoted servant, H Knox The President of the United States [Endorsement, verso: John adams — [seal: National Archives] — RECEIVED JUL 11 1934 RECORDS & LIBRARY NAVY DEPT. — June 26. 1798 — Mass H.S. Pickering Papers Vol. 8. — Ready [undecipherable]]