Writes to ask if Knox might help his brother, Lieutenant David Mason. Mason is in New York in a desperate situation, and Bryant has no money at present to help him. Asks if Knox might lend Mason fifteen dollars to book passage to Boston or Springfield on Bryant's account, and Bryant will pay him back out of the first income he receives.

In a secretarial hand and unsigned, but author is likely Henry Knox. Letter is probably a reply to GLC02437.04255, from Bryant to Knox. Writes that he would be happy to advance Bryant's brother-in-law Mr. Mason the sum Bryant requested, but he thinks it will not be necessary, as such provision has been recently made for him as will relieve his present necessities.

Writes he has enclosed an order (not included) on Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth's for six months pay owed to Captain Bryant for his service in 1787. Hopes Bryant will receive his pay for 1788 in a few months. He will write more about his difficulties settling Bryant's account when he goes abroad. Indicates he was confined to his house for the past month with rheumatism. Written from the War Office.

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aid-de-camp. States he is sorry to hear that Captain Bryant's company is weak but says it is out of my power to add to it, except by ordering such men of the artillery to it, who are unable to do field duty. Approves of Bryant sending samples of fuzes, rockets and tubes of Bryant's making. Asks Bryant to inform Colonel David Mason that Knox applied to Colonel Timothy Pickering for an order on the quarter master in Springfield. Bryant was a member of Colonel Mason's corps of Artillery artificers stationed at Springfield. Public Service written on address leaf with no signature.

Informs Secretary of War Knox that he has sent a return of military stores for October 1787. Explains a discrepancy in the return for gun powder in detail.

Discusses administrative matters relating to Captain Bryant's pay. Notes he forwarded a certificate related to Bryant's failure to receive his commutation and says it is now out of Knox's hands. Comments he did not forward Bryant's certificate of his appointment as Deputy of Commissary of Military Stores as he did not think it was relevant. Bryant claimed to have never received any benefit from the State related to his commutation. Asks Bryant if has contracted anyone to clean the arms on the terms Bryant had previously written about. Written from the War Office.

Writes to Knox, stating, when I think of the attention that has been paid to me in my necessitous circumstances and of my situation in life, I cannot but with gratitude think on the author of it that his name may ever be rememberd [sic] in my family. I have named a son Henry Knox. he was born on the first of March. He is a fine large boy.