[draft] Boston Aug:t 1777 dear Harry your favor of the 27 July came safe hand - am much oblige to you for this favor, and am for many others which I have rec:d - We were greatly Alarm'd here a few day's ago by an express from Cap Ann. That 150 sail of Large Ships were seen in the Bay & were Bound directly into Nantasket - and suppose'd to be the fleet from New York - you cannot paint to yourself an Idea the confution we were thrown in - same a drive'g up Street & down - buy'g all the Old Hqd:s Bar:s & Box's to pack their goods up - others mount'g horse back gallop'g out after Team's - The Council was then seting, this did not know what to do - they send'g off express to the members of the genl Court to call them together to ask there advice about fortify'g Governers Island & to evacuate the Forts at Nantasket, Collo Crafts with 18 or 20 Orderly Serg:ts attend'g the Board of War to waite there orders - before this alarm, there was not a Bar:ll Rum a Bar Sugar a pound of Coffee nor a pound of Cotton Wool to be bought in the Town & in three Hour's there was not less than 100 Load [2] of these articles carted out of Town - altho' the alarm came very direct - yet by heaven's every one was for own dear self - from my little observation in this affair - I really think if the enemy were to come here, not one quarter part of the Town would turn out to oppose them - O my god the thought - Harry it is too true - How are the mighty fallen, tell it not in Heaven, publish it not in the Streets of Amereca - by Heaven's if there is not one publick spirit we shall go to devil our own way - publick spirit - did I say - there is none here - nor there has not been any this 18 Mo The next mor.g this alarm appear'd to be only a few fish'g, Boats in the Bay a fish:g - I hope it will have one good effect that is in our fright we sent down about 150 men to Fortify Governers Island - your Lucy is not return'd from Newbury - I heard of her a few days ago - she was well - your little Lucy, I kis't this mor:g she is hearty & well - Capt Manly in the Hancock Frigate; is Certainly taken & carrie'd into Hallifax - this is a very great less to [ous] - it is whisper'd that our Old friend Hector - has not behave'd as we might have expect'd - I hope and pray you will give a good acct of gen.l How - I think if you are able to get there before him you'll make [3] him repent the day he left New York - A Frigate off Newbury chas'd a prize Ship a Shore with 300 Hhd: Rum - the People on board the Ship got a shore in their Boat - & the Frigate sent their boats & tow'd the Ship off - Recruitg is very dull - Lee & Henly has not got 80 between them - I wish the gen.l would write this State w.h respect to this Regt - I want them should be full by Winter - Remember me to Mr. Secretary Knox - tell Mr Secretary I have an ensign'd [Vaca] which I think any man of Spirit would accept, rather than be scribner to any officer - which if he'll accpt it as his Service - may god Perserve you my dear Harry, is the Pray, of your affectionate Friend [docket] [illegible] Harry Jackson Augt. 1777 - [address leaf] To Brig:r Gen:l Knox at Gen.l Washington's Head Quarters