Autograph Letter Signed

Reference for Payson for Employment

Knox sends a letter by Payson, who is in need of employment. Knox recommends him for a position in the quartermaster or commissary departments, under Lincoln's patronage.

Ltr, adv on candidate for appointment.

1787

02

22

New York

Benjamin Lincoln

Henry Knox

Payson

quarter master

commissary

New York

Massachusetts

respectable inhabitant

unhappy circumstances in his family

employment

bread

military arrangements

subordinate appointment

patronage

duties

employ

1787022400001

1

General Knox
Feb. [date undecipherable, first number is 2], 1787
New York, 24 February, 1787
My dear Sir,
Mr Payson, the bearer has been a reputable inhabitant of Massachusetts but is now in great distress owing to some especially unhappy circumstances in his family. He has applied to me for some employment which would give him bread, but there is nothing [undecipherable word] in my disposal.
As the military arrangements in Massachusetts may occasion demands, for persons in the quartermaster, or accompanying line, he conceives that he may obtain some subordinate appointment under your patronage.
I am persuaded from my knowledge of Mr. Payson, that there are duties which he could fulfill to the justification of [undecipherable word] who [undecipherable word] recommend, or employ him. I am my dear Sir,
With great [undecipherable word] & affection
Your very humble servant
HKnox
The hon. Major Genl Lincoln