Provides an account of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Claims the discontents in Massachusetts were speedily and effectually suppressed. Says these discontents were immersed in Opinions which perhaps were necessarily diseminated previous to and during the revolution [which] seem to produce effects materially different from which they were intended. Discusses the debts, factions, and the recourse to arms of the farmers of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Worcester counties. Discusses the government's reluctance to resort to bloodshed in suppressing the rebellion, which consisted of 2,000 farmers and war veterans who shut down the court in Worcester. Says Governor James Bowdoin called for 5,000 troops to be led by General Benjamin Lincoln. Mentions that Captain Shays, one of the leaders of the uprising, was under Lafayette's command in 1780. Goes on to describe Lincoln's victory over the rebels. Says he can trust the news in this letter because he has received updates from Lincoln himself. Says that Arthur St. Clair has been elected president of the Continental Congress. Says Congress has many weighty affairs to consider. Noted as a copy on the docket.

Says he has probably already heard of the results of the Constitutional Convention. Says The propositions being essentially different, in many respects from the existing Confederation, and which will probably produce different national effects, are contemplated by the public at large with an anxious attention. The discussions are commenced in the news papers & in Pamphlets, with all the freedom & liberality which challenge a people who are searching by their own experience after a form of government most productive of happiness. Expresses his affinity for a stronger national government and believes the new constitution will provide it. Goes on to claim it is not a perfect document though and There are several things in it that I confess I could wish to be altered. Says the people are ready for the change and that it will be discussed fully. Predicts parties will be raised during the debate. Discusses state ratification. Will send an update from time to time. Mentions European affairs and fears French aggression. Asks for news. Says Washington is doing well, but that his crops are injured by severe drought. Encloses a copy of the Constitution (not included). Docketed by William Knox.

Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. References Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected. Of the Constitutional Convention says The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason. Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the next 2-3 months. Says New York will have its ratifying convention in June and hopes the acceptance of other states will influence them to vote for it. Goes into other state's conventions. Lashes out at Rhode Island. Gives Lafayette an update on Catherine Greene, the wife of the late General Nathanael Greene. Seems like she wants to send her son George to France to study. Asks for an updated list of French officers in the Society of the Cincinnati so he can send them diplomas. Says war seems less likely in Europe now, but that the English however are haughty and overbearing - too much so I am apprehensive, for a firm and durable peace. Below the docket, a later note initialed by EY sums up the letter and states that Lafayette's letters to Knox referenced in this letter is feared lost. In the hand of William Knox.

Says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has too many schemes of convenience to approve it. But says it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more. Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is inevitable. Worries about the situation of the United States if such a war broke out. Wants an updated list of French members of the Society of the Cincinnati so he can make up diplomas. Reports that Lucy Knox has given birth to their eighth child. No signature at closing.

Received his last letter and delivered the enclosures appropriately. Sends regards to Mr. and Mrs. [James] Swan, and reports that their family is well. Writes that the Rebellion is nearly at an end. Has enclosed newspapers to provide an authentick & particular account of the fate of Mr. [Daniel] Shays and his banditti as well as of the success of their friend General [Benjamin] Lincoln. Reports that the Legislature has voted to raise troops to protect the state and capture any rebels they find, and the Legislature is offering a bounty to encourage men to enlist. Is concerned that this endeavor will jeopardize his ability to recruit for his own regiment, because he cannot afford to offer as much money up front as the government can. Reports that a large balance is owed to Mr. Stephen Bruce for the materials he supplied to the regiments, and Jackson cannot provide him any of the money. Visited Mr. [Stephen] Higginson for help, but Mr. Higginson told him there was no money to be spared for Jackson's regiment, though he will do his best to help him. Mentions that he does not know whether Knox or the Governor will order his regiment to Springfield, but insists that they must be properly clothed and paid before they march. Discusses how best to organize the men on the march, and mentions the status of the recruitment of artillery officers. Also mentions that Mr. Bruce would like to contract with Mr. [Robert] Morris or Mr. [Jeremiah] Wadsworth for supplying troops. Sends his love to Lucy and the Knox children.

Discusses the arrangement of troops and an established military uniform he received from Major [William] North. Asks Knox to decide which of the two majors will be assigned to him so he can appoint a field officer at the Castle. Goes into further detail about his new recruits and funding for the uniforms. Notes General [Benjamin] Lincoln remains in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (one of the areas where Shays' Rebellion took place). Writes, ...the heart of the Rebellion is broken up, and have dispersed to all quarters - but if the government Troops were withdrawn, from that quarter, the same faction would brake out again. Says the prisoners from the rebellion will be tried immediately. Notes Captain [Adam?] Wheeler, one of the leaders of the rebellion who was taken prisoner in New York, was rescued by a set of Raskels from that state.