[draft] New York June 13 1776 - Dear Billey I received yours of the 6th instant respecting Mr. Harrods claim of pay for the Store during the time I was out of Boston - Good God is it possible a man having the least pretensions to the Character of an honest man or a Christian should make such a demand? can there be an Instance of the like nature in the whole Town? I dare sware there is not one. why then should Mr Harrod want to make me the only instance especially after what pass'd between him & me before I left the Town. - which is nearly as follows, which Mrs. Harrod being present can possibly remember - I went to him and told him that I was going out of Town that my Goods were in the Store, but If he insisted upon any rent during the time I was out of Town I should remove my Goods - he told me to let the goods stay in store [used?] they would be a security to it considering my connections and that the store would if empty be taken up for Barracks upon these terms of paying no rent & being an advantage to Mr Harrod I permitted the Goods remain and no other[.] Mrs Flucker myself & friends thought that considering the Aspect of the [illegible] times they would be much safer in Mr Fluckers [2] own houses[.] I think it impossible for him to be serious. If he is I shall be so too and cannot pay him anything - by my keeping my goods in his store for the security of it they have been taken away. I've been mobb'd & plundered now to add a Demand for Rent after this kind of usage is odd enough to be sure - The rent that he Demands for the store now we are occupying it is too great & much more than I can afford to pay - consult my friends Harry Jackson & Doctr Gardiner concerning the proposition of sent now & three or four Years ago and let me know the result - possibly the Books may sell better in the Town than Country - but such Booty would sell in the most interior parts of the Country - they are not to be replenish'd - we can get no more from any other part of the World - [illegible] me so then I want to know every Circumstance your way however trivial. We are exceedingly buisy [sic] in fortifying this place It will be as Srong as the nature of the Ground will admit. The Inhabitants of this Colony are exceedingly lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - altho' their Colony has the prospect of being Immediately attack'd - Its Instruments to be made Slaves. - Your Sister is Very unwell this morning, but I hope nothing more than the fatigue of her baby, who is in very fine Health. Give my love to Harry & the Doctor Oliver Smith & J [Laupton?] write me what the later is Whig or the remnant of a Tory - In haste Adieu Harry Knox [3] beware of a certain Major - lend him no money I owe him none - therefore pay none - I hope You have sent the money I write for some time ago - [address leaf] Mr. Willm. Knox Boston [docket] Letter from Collo Knox June 13th. 1776 -