[draft] New York 22 December 1788 [inserted - different hand: To Genl Washington] [struck: My dear Sir] It is a long time my dear Sir since I have had the pleasure of addressing you owing to my having been [struck: absent] into Massachusetts and to Penobscot [struck: for nearly] [inserted: during a period of the last] four months [struck: past] - I have received your favor enclosing some applications [struck: respecting] for admission into the Cincinnati, which are [struck: duly] filed [struck: and will][inserted: but which cannot] be considered [struck: in due time] untill the next general meeting in the year 1792 - In [struck: the] [inserted: the states of] New Hampshire Massachusetts and Connecticut, [inserted: [struck: in which I have lately been the great [struck: quest] object [struck: of] [inserted: of organizing] the new constitution, [struck: and the of] has engrossed the attention [inserted: of the people] [struck: some time past] - It is with sincere satisfaction [2] [inserted: that I can from personal observation [strike-out] assert [strike-out that the affections of the great majority in those states is encreasing [struck: daily] for the new system and it is dayly becoming highly popular. The senators [struck: from] [inserted: of] those states are [struck: sensible good] characters calculated to [strike-out] inspire confidence in the new government and are all highly federal - [struck: and] I am persuaded their representatives will [struck: most] generally if not entirely be of the same description. As to Rhode Island they are in such a train that nothing good can at present be expected from them - their paper money system and tender laws are sufficiently characteristick of their pursuits New York are also laboring under errors of conduct - but from the powerful party in this state in favor of the [3] system, something may be hoped in the elections New Jersey, Pensylvania Delaware and Maryland are right The choice of Representatives in Pennsylvania may be considered as a fair appeal to the people with respects to their approbation of the new government - and although the [struck: local party] [inserted: party in favor of the local] constitution [strike-out] of that state have been brought to operate against the general constitution, yet [strike-out] the majority of the people are its firm supporters - [struck: Your Knowledge of Virginia [struck: sufficient] [inserted: & the southern states] must be adequate to an opinion their on the present occassion] [4] Mr John Adams will probably have the plurality of views for vice President - from his principles of government [struck: & from] [inserted: as well] his professions of regard to the character universally decided on for the President he will probably be one of the best characters for [struck: that] [inserted: the] office of vice president Our three [inserted: youngest] [struck: our] children have had the measles and are we hope [inserted: all] through the disorder - Lucy and Harry are about receiving the infection [strike-out]. Mrs Knox [inserted: presents her respects to you and] unites with me in presenting our sincere [struck: regards] [inserted: affection] to Mrs Washington, [struck: and her grandchildren] I am my dear Sir [struck: with perfect] your sincerely affectionate friend & humble servant H Knox His Excellency General Washington Major Haskell who was aid de Camp to General Howe is going to Europe and his very solicitous to obtain a certificate from your Excellency of his services - He sustained a character of a brave and good officer [docket] To his Ex Genl Washington 21 Decr 1788 -