[draft] Morris Town May 22 1777. My dearest Lucy I wrote you two days ago by Capt Speakman but hearing of [struck: Cap] a Mr Checkleys going to Boston I write a few Lines by him. When I last wrote you I had not received your Letters by the post owing to the Post mans mistake at Fish Kills as I was there when he arrivd from the eastward, I thank you my dearest for them, and feel most sensibly your distress when your own little baby broke out with the small pox in what is call'd the natural way - indeed I wonder at your fortitude in standing it. - I hope 'ere this that heaven has oblig'd you with her perfect recovery. - your confinement is so very disagreeable that I shall be happy to hear you have again gotten to Boston My Lucy laments her Harrys [illegible] and he too feels unhappy in the extreme that Providence has so order'd it. The same [2] kind providence which has order'd we should be asunder will bring us to gether again, [struck: This my] my desire is to live and dye with you - and as I have often written to you no prospect of Riches no prospect of honor no pecuniary motives whatever Could have induced me to be absent from you - Nothing but the calls of a Country much injur'd and much distressd & to whom I am inseperably connected by moral and natural tye could have call'd [text loss] from the arms and Company of her who is so inexpressibly interwoven with my heart - We hear nothing further that confirms the account I sometime ago wrote you about [inserted: Genl] Burgoyne, how to advise you I know not But think you had better get a House in the Country as a Retreat. I wish Billey to sell but five more things, and he had better send the sum the remainder well pack'd and send em to Springfield which is & must be very secure - You will remember one qualification in a house that it must be on the post road perhaps [3] if the War should be carried on in New England I may have permission to come there but of this I cannot certainly say. I can give my Love no encouragement about coming to me at present as it is very uncertain where we shall be. the roads will be bad & perhaps dangerous - but that is not all I shall have the doble anxiety of not being able to see or be with you and fear [text loss] safety - I shall expect some Letters from you by the post on Saturday. I shall always make it a rule to write You by the post, and expect the same from you - I shall remove my quarters to the Lines in a day or two - Adieu My Dearest earthly Love HKnox Give my Love to Harry and Billey [address leaf] Mrs. Lucy Knox Boston favor'd by Mr. Checkley - [docket 1] Gen to Mrs Knox May 1777 - Morristown [docket 2] 22nd May