[Draft] New York Augt 26 1776 My best beloved I received your very acceptable Letter duly by the post, Indeed my Lucy it was one of the most acceptable presents I ever received from your much belov'd hands The sentiments the style the every thing was truly charming I lament that my time is not so much my own that I [struck: could] [inserted: can] answer every part of it particularly. It is not [inserted: that] I do not love my Lucy as well as she does me that my Letters are not as long as hers. & I must by that you would not on that account make your Letters shorter - you seem apprehensive of my resenting your Letter by Major Lockwood, no my love your Harry never but for a moment resent any thing that you can say to me I must have been egregiously mistaken when I write you about the Ducks and Chikens I have rec'd thy part of them and the Whole of the Cheese for which my love I thank you - take care my love of permitting your disgust to the Connecticut people to escape your Lips - indiscreet expressions are handed from Town to Town and a long while remember'd by people not blessd with expanded minds - The want of that refinement which you seem to speak of is or will be the salvation of America for refinement of Manners introduces cooruption and venality. I grant you that most people are In a degree corrupt, but then in young states its only about tops and [a marbles] - in old States about Estates gain'd thro an ocean of Inquity and Blood - there's a kind of simplicity in young states as in young children which is quite pleasing to an attentive observer - Indeed I am so thoroughly glutted with [2] with the base said [struck: wickedness] Wickederry & horrid Crimes of the Enemies, [struck: that] I have rather revert to barbarism of the original nations of this Land, than have any further connection with them - my Lucy asks what are my amusements and how I spend my leisure hours - leisure Hours I have none and my amusements is my business - I treat none and am treated not much - Mrs Airey Miss Airey Mrs Foster Mrs Putnam and every other Lady is gone from the place but how by since I dont know. poor General Greene has been sick nearly unto death - he is now thank God on the Recovery but very weak he is about 2 miles from here on the Island. - Mr Henley is appointed Aid de camp to General Heath - I was in hopes to haven gotten Mr Pollard likewise promoted to an aid de camp - but the now made Generals had too many friends to provide for - I do not permit Mr Henley who is well acquainted with this Duty to leave me untill after the action - The enemy landed last Thursday on the plains of Flat bush on Long Island and march'd about 5 miles of our [works] - we suppos'd they were going to attack them and strongly reinforced on that side between our Works and where the enemy are is a very hilly broken ground - thickly planted with woods - If I had plann'd any thing for six months it would have been to get the enemy in the very spot where they now are - our advanced parties and theirs have had a [considerable] number of skirmishes in which our troops did not find these heroes invincible having beat them back several times - the prince of Hesse in these skirmishes will be a great gainer - we kill'd and found the body of one of his subjects for what the prince will receive thirty Crowns banco, three wounded makes a kill'd man so I suppose this paltry fellow of a prince will be receiving 100 crowns or 200 crowns banco every day - General Putnam Commands on the Island [3] with a number of other Generals. Upon the Security of Long Island will depend that of N York I think we shall beat the enemy and with the blessing of heaven preserve them both - we have great numbers of men here - Your Harry is well, how does my baby do I should like to see it vastly kiss it bless [strikeout] & pray for it for my sake - I am with all affection & love Yours forever HKnox [address leaf] Mrs Knox New Haven [docket] August 26th 1776