[draft] [partial] [3] I did not intend to have mentioned any thing of a public nature [in this leter], but I cannot refrain from [trusting] to you the extreme uneasiness of the Massachusetts line The total want of pay and [struck: other] [security] [have], [struck: has] and an apprehension that [struck: nothing] [arising] [from] information that it [was possible] the resolves of congress respecting a future provision might be [illegible] have by their combined force raised their unhappy sensations to an [4] an alarming height. [strikeout] [struck: much] [inserted: Thier future peace] will depend [inserted: much] on the success of the [matter] now with you. indeed the [inserted: their] existence or non existence as an army [strikeout] [struck: a great degree] may be the consequence. Their patience [struck: is exhausted] is so much [struck: exhaust] exhausted, [struck: that] and their passions so high, that any circumstance, from either Congress or any other body which may have a tendency to destroy those promises which have been Almost their only good for years past, [would] open a [seeme], that might [struck: no] [renounce] the [aspiring] hopes [of the] [army] and [illegible] the War of years [struck: to yea] to come. I write you this in [inserted: great] confidence, [struck: and am sure you will not permit it to be [published] strikeout upon] And I beg leave to [fulfill myself] with great respect Your most obedient servant HKnox The honorable John Lowell Esqr. [docket] To Honorable John Lowell [inserted: Esq] 8 October 1782 -