Confirms that he was out of town the previous week and that this is why he was unable to respond to a previous letter. Reports that he will forward Jackson's circular letter during the coming week. Declares that Jackson has involved me in an embarrasing [sic] predicament by asking my opinion of the intended memorial of the Massachusetts Line. Discusses his beliefs on the memorial, which pertains to solider pay.

Informs Knox that the Massachusetts legislature will be meeting and that he will attend in order to look after their mutual interests. Discusses securities, the militia and the weather.

Replies to Knox's letter from 20 June. Encloses some unspecified papers (not included). Notes that the [Massachusetts General] Court met Friday and have adjourned until January 1791. Reports that Thomas's party has been quiet, and the people are angry. In a post script, adds that Governor John Hancock refused signing an act giving the light houses to Congress. Free stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Discusses a meeting Knox and his delegation are attending. Mentions a meeting held at the Green Dragon to deal with officers pay. Says a committee was appointed to draft a memorial to Congress and report it at the Society of the Cincinnati meeting in July. It is the intention of the committee to meet with the officers the latter part of this month and present their findings to Congress in June. Forwards a copy of the memorial that was drafted for Knox to peruse, he is instructed not to say a word of it to anyone. Says if he dislikes or would like an amendment to any part of the report to let him know. Believes the memorial is the only way to satisfy the officers. It is their intention for General [Benjamin] Lincoln to sign the memorial on behalf of the officers.

Writes, The time taken up by Congress in fixing the permanent seat of Government, and the situation of the Funding business has caused a great uneasiness & clamour amongst the people, and of that Class that have been the firmest supporters of the government ... every mechanick & Tradesman conceives that their being out of employ is wholly owing to that circumstance - and the distress of that class of people in the several seaports in this State is very alarming - in this town it is melancholy to see the poverty and wretchedness of the inhabitants... Reports that Captain Vose, managing affairs on Knox's lands in present-day Maine, informed him that the people who live there are behind in their payments. They will not make any payments until the Massachusetts General Court decides on a petition related to the land. Relates, a Spanish War remains as it did...

Writes that he received Knox's last letter, and, noting that Knox did not mention his leg injury, he assumes Knox has recovered. He does remind Knox to be more careful the next time he plays sports. Discusses current politics in Massachusetts, such as the illness of the Governor. Also declares that the General Court is concerned that its members are no longer as influential now that the new federal government is running. Provides information on their friends and acquaintances in Boston as well.

Discusses appointments by the state legislature, which is currently in session, and a recent speech given by the President (George Washington). Notes Speaker Eustis (likely referring to William Eustis who was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1788 to 1794) and others are well acquainted with the petition and will meet it. Writes that his father's health is no longer as it was and that he will not last much longer. States that he is 83 years of age; and my good mother is 82 she appears to be as well as I have known her this twenty years, they have lived together near 60 years in such cases one seldom out lives the other any considerable time.