Captain Randall expresses his gratitude to Knox and his family: To find an asylum that enabled me to recover my feelings in so distressed a situation, when the calumniating tongue of the world was endeavoring to ruin me forever, was a protection of which my heart will ever retain the most lively sense... Notes that the following day, he and Samuel Shaw will depart for China (Shaw was a commercial agent on this voyage for a group of Boston and New York merchants). Includes an autograph note signed by Shaw to Knox: I have everything to thank you for on my own account- but your good ness to the writer of the aforegoing letter is an addition, which will ever dwell on my mind with increasing pleasure.

Writes on his way to China. Thanks Knox for taking interest in the affairs of him and Shaw, United States Consul at Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China). Asks Knox to send his apologies to Mr. Jay for not giving him more notice that he was ready to sail.

Randall, who accompanied Samuel Shaw to China, thanks Knox for the many civilities received in your family. Of Knox's family, writes My heart retains so lively a sense of them, that no distance can ever efface it. Notes that Shaw, Knox's former aide, will personally deliver this letter to Knox.

Discusses the character of Mr. [Thomas] Randall and Samuel Shaw and their past experience in China; possibly having to do with trade. Notes he cannot speak with respect to the plans but can speak with great confidence about the men's character. Says both of the men served in the War, both have been to China twice, and that Shaw is currently on the Coast of India. Speaks of the men's prior voyages and Knox's confidence that a voyage can be profitable. Noted as a copy on the docket. See GLC02437.03637, .03638, .03644 and .03652 for related documents.

Captain Thomas Randall writes to inform Knox that he has arrived in Baltimore after his trip to China with Samuel Shaw. Writes that we stopped sometime at Batavia the capital of the Dutch settlements in the East Indies where the reception our flag met with was polite and friendly. Expects to see Knox soon so apologizes for not going into great detail about his trip. Sends regards to Mrs. Knox.

Written from Bombay, present-day Mumbai, India. Declares that he will be on his way to America before Knox reads this letter. Mentions he had arrived in Bombay ten days earlier, after an excruciating five-month-long journey from Batavia. After this he will sail for China. Mentions that his friend Mr. [Samuel] Shaw has long since arrived in America and will have told Knox about how Randall is doing. Describes a crewmember he had to suspend because his pride and ignorance has rendered him so intolerable, as to make him quarrell [sic] with every officer on board. As he is uncertain whether this letter will successfully arrive to Knox, he is not planning to write to all of his friends and acquaintances. In lieu of that, he asks Knox to mention to Colonel [likely Richard] Platt and Colonel [likely William] Duer that he has been unable to sell their land, and also sends his regards to Mrs. Knox and to the family of Mr. [Isaac] Sears.

Apologizes to Knox for not being able to visit him in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on his way to Baltimore.