[draft] New York July 22 1776- my lovely love I wrote you yesterday under the persuasion that I should send it by Mr Gerry one of the members of Congress who went out too early yesterday morning for to be able receivd my Letter, but I sent it unfinish'd as it was by some other Gentleman whose names I do not know. Apropos I [inserted: will] unto business for fear I should forget it or something call me off as it did yesterday. I have got a fine likely boy for your servant. I've purchas'd three years of his time I will send you his Indentures, his name is Thomas [Eliot] after he has learn'd to drive which I would get some experienc'd person to teach him he will be of great service to you- I am cloathing him and shall send him tomorrow under the care of Mr Enoch [Brown] on the little Horse, which you will send back by Mrs Greens servant- Capt Baumans family are gone into the Jersies. why do you enquire? with respect to the matters you enquire about of Mrs [Amys] and yours I will take proper notice of- I sincerely feel for you poor mother, its very odd that the friendship of her friends did not extend to carry her to England -I will ask about Hannah and if she is in the enemys fleet and no prospect of Urquharts coming will make the proposal you desire- but wish she may not reject it- On Saturday I wrote you we had a capital flag of Truce no less than the adjutant general of General Howes army- he had an Interview with General Washington at our House the purport of his Message was in very elegant polite strains to endever [sic] to persuade General W. to receive a letter directed to George Washington Eqr &c &c In the course of his talk every other word was [we] may please your Excellency if your Excellency [&c] pleases in short no [person] could pay more respect than the said Adj Genl whose name is Colo Patterson a person we do not know- he said the &c &c implied every thing - it does so says the General and any thing- he said Lord & General Howe lamented exceedingly that any error in the direction should [should] interrupt that [frequent] intercourse between both armies which might be necessary in the course of the Service- that Lord Howe had come out with great [power] the General said he had heard that Lord Howe had come out with very great powers to pardon but he had come to the [wrong] place [2] the americans had not offended therefore they needed no pardon- this confus'd him- after a considerable deal of talk about the good disposition of Lord & General Howe, he ask'd has your Excellency no particular demmands [sic] with which you would please to honor me with the Lord & General Howe- nothing sir but my particular compliments to both- a good answer- General W. was very handsomely dress'd and made a most elegant appearance. Colo Patterson appear'd awe struck as if he was before something supernatural Indeed I dont wonder at it- he was before a very great man Indeed- We had a cold collation provided in which I lamented most exceedingly the absence of my Lucy, the Generals servants did it tolerably well- tho' Mr Adj Genl disapointed us as it grew late he even excus'd himself [have] drinking one glass of wine. he said Lord Howe & General Howe and his suite would wait for him as they were to dine on board the [engli] man of War. he took is leave and [went] off- since which we have not herd of him I write you by yesterday of the glorious success of General Lee to the Southard at Charlestown S Carolina. The enemy made a most furious attack on Sullivans Island with 6. frigates and 2 [capital] ships [illegible] 50 guns- after cannonading for 12 hours they retreated being exceedingly shatterd many part holes beat into one, their masts shattered [text loss] their rigging cut away, and the [Active] frigate of 28 guns burnt- they at the same time of the ships firing attempted to land and [were] beat off with considerable slaughter, the enemy lost 172 kill'd and wounded- this must give a coup de main to their pretensions to the southward- I wish to Heaven our success was equal to the northward- My love asks me whether she shall go to Boston & with her take take the small pox?- I wish you had that forsaken from your mind and wish if it is perfectly agreable that you with your sweet child would go to Boston and take but this matter I do not urge or even wish it without it is agreable to you- the species seem kind, business calls me from conversing with my better [half] that god may preserve & keep you both is the earnest prayer of your tender affectionate Husband HKnox [address] Fairfield for.d N Hav.n To Mrs. Lucy Knox in Fairfield or N Haven to post [docket] "July" 1776 Gen to Mrs Knox