Discusses the cost of Knox's house and mentions he hopes he is wrong and Knox is correct on the estimated cost. Informs Knox he got a second opinion on the construction of Knox's basement and they all agree the basement should be made of stone. Notes both Mr. [Ebenezer] Dunton and Mr. [Henry] Simpson arrived last week at St. George's [House] with their work crew and that Mr. Robinson will be arriving anytime. Suggests Knox appoints him as superintendent of arsenal for the United States. Free stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Reports Mr. Robinson, Mr. [Ebenezer] Dunton, Mr. [Henry] Simpson, and several laborers have set sail for St. George's [House]. Informs Knox he sent Mr. [Thomas] Vose a new ox cart and Mr. Vose expects the workmen to keep two teams in constant employ. Provides information on salaries paid for the construction of Knox's house. Also, mentions invoices totaling [Dollar sign]400 for materials. Warns Knox his house will cost twice the amount of what he expects. Relays a story about the construction of a theater costing twice the estimated amount. Discusses the performance of Henry Jackson Knox, the son of Henry Knox. Notes they should purchase Henry Jackson Knox a flute.

Informs Knox he will deliver Captain [Thomas] Vose and Mr. Ebenezer Dunton their letters once he copies them. Cautions Knox on how large and costly his house will be. Writes the house will be much larger than a Country meeting house and with all the economy & attention probably it will cost more money than you have an Idea of or ought to be expended on a house in that country - besides which, the frequent alterations you have made and are daily making are attend'd [sic] with very great expense & will increase the bills... Explains the inside of the house is almost complete and they are waiting for the frame of the house to be set. Asks him to put aside his last minute changes. Mentions he does not believe Knox realizes the actual cost of his house and asks what he believes it is. Notes if Knox is correct, the house will have twenty four fire places, and all your rooms pretty large - I doubt whether either of the College's at Cambridge has more - if so many - it's a very large house that has ten or twelve, and but few such to be found in this Town, or even on the Continent - Requests he writes him back with further instructions.

Reports Knox's house (most likely future estate at Montpelier) should be completed by September. Mentions they have as many hands working as possible and as Captain [Thomas] Vose can keep employed. Notes he can hire more hands if Knox wishes. Encloses a letter he received from Captain Vose, complaining about Jackson withholding money for supplies on Knox's house. Discusses having James Sever command one of the continent's ships. Comments on Sever's good character and experience commanding ships. Reports he (Jackson) will follow his duty regarding an embargo.

Informs Knox he has enclosed original agreements with this letter but wants Knox to return them. Requests Knox contacts Mr. [Thomas] Vose about purchasing material (most likely for his house, Montpelier, being built in Maine). Also notes he will send Knox an abstract of the expenses. Suggests Knox visits St. George's [House] (Montpelier) by summer and offers to accompany him. Discusses one of Knox's outstanding bank notes and mentions covering it with his own note and receiving a possible discount.

Discusses the possibility of war with the British. States while he hopes war is avoidable, the British should be held accountable for the depredation done to their property. Reports Mr. [Ebenezer] Dunton says the alterations Knox requested to the windows is too difficult and costly to complete. Mentions Mr. [Thomas] Simpson and Mr. Robinson will be heading towards [St. George's House]. Informs Knox you may calculate before this reach's you that the Corner Stone of this Immense Edifice will be laid. Clarifies what type of material and hardware to use on Knox's house. Discusses the election (1794 Governor race in Boston, Massachusetts) between [William] Cushing and [Samuel] Adams.

Discusses communications he received from French diplomats and encourages Henry Jackson to come to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plans to pay a portion of the money he owes to Jackson and refers to potential discounts. Asks Jackson to complete a business transaction regarding the St. George's House (possibly referring to the Waldo patent lands). Transmitted a final plan in his last letter.