Discusses a Lieutenant-Colonel [John] Popkin and whether or not he should stay at his post as Superintendent of Recruiting Services in Boston, Massachusetts, as the recruiting service has been closed.

Encloses an agreement made by Colonel Crane's regiment to accept the commutation of five years' full pay in lieu of half pay for life. Knox also accepts the commutation.

Forwards a list [not included] of people appointed by the Massachusetts line to a committee to prepare an address to his excellency the commander in chief, &c on the happy issue of the war.

Requests that Knox intercede with the Commander in Chief, George Washington, to obtain a discharge for a man named Mr. Shaw. References his advanced age and that he had a Captain's commission from the state of Massachusetts. He is therefore, not a proper person to serve as a private soldier.

Writes, The bearer hereof has in charge one William Campbell, who came to camp as a recruit for the Mass Line. He offered to enlist with the recruiting party [for] this State but was refused by Captain [Andrew] Moodie who has [reported] him to me. As I cannot learn that he is appropriated to any particular service, I send him to you, as Head of the Line for which he was recruited. Written and signed in the hand of Samuel Shaw.