[draft] NYork Aug 1 1776 - I receivd Your Letter by Mrs Halsey and also the one by the post, I know you read my Letters with an exceeding great avidity, I know your affection for me rises to a very great height, but neither of them can be greater or higher than mine, I love you my dearest b[l]essing of heaven with a love, which it is impossible to communicate or describe - You wrote me a Letter concerning the small pox, to be sure I wish my dear Girl and her babe to be eas'd of that dread which must forever lay on her and my mind until she has a full testimony of not being liable to its attacks for the Future. I will write to William on the Subject of your Letter and Mr Tracy is to go from here in a few days - if you can persuade him to go the upper Road insted of the lower Road I should be vastly happy in your taking advantage of his protection and I could wish too for the [l]ook of the thing that Mrs Pollard could go with you but this is by the bye - You wish to know how I spend my time - I generall rise with or a little before the Sun, & immediately with part of the Regiment attend prayers, sing a Psalm and Read a Chapter in the Grand Battery General Putnam constantly attends I dispatch a Considerable deal of business before breakfast from Breakfast to Dinner I am broiling in a [2] Sun hot enough to roast an egg. Indeed my dear Lucy I never suffer'd so much from Fatigue in my life. I like you am In a high distress my arms being much broken out - Drink tamarinds and water, a quantity of them I send you by Colo Sears, who sets out this day for NHaven by Water - Doctor Eustis advises you to Drink it and also sends his Compliments, my dear Lucy makes me smile to demand a written permission from me for her to Return After she has Had the small pox, I am almost afraid to tell you how much I long to see you [struck: know] [inserted: now] and how much more shall I then, indeed my dear you shall Return at any time you see proper and it shall be thought prudent so to do The affair of the small pox I look upon as a very serious Concern of life - no person has recently had it bad at Boston, the Species are very kind, however if there should be any hesitation in my Lucys mind I do not press it. - it is left entirely at your option and yet I have given you so much of my mind as to know its desire - Above I was telling you that I had a blister; I was bled for that and the headach about an half hour [a]go, don't be frigtned only the extreme hot weather and rather too much buisness - But I don't intend to go much in the sun today - sometimes I dine at home with not much more than my rations at others I dine out at General Washingtons Lord & Lady Putnams &c &c &c [3] but I am mortified that I have not had them to dine with me in return, however that cannot be The Dutch Girl you left behaves well if there is any truth in flint, I find my Cloaths clean and in pretty good order - The other Girl went away a day or two ago if [Henly] and she had any correspondence they kept it entirely from my knowledge - does Harry Jackson or Bill write you I have not had a Letter from Bill for two posts I would have sent you the wine you desire but there is none in this city but at a Dollar or [illegible] per Bottle - if You tell me you shall not go to Boston I will send you a Dozen instantly - Mr Tracy the day before yesterday with Mr Palfrey went on [illegible] Lord Howe and had a curious conversation of [struck: two] [inserted: one] hour[struck: s] I should have been very happy to have gone and it was intended but [illegible] business prevented - he will tell you when he sees you - however he will get his friends exchang'd I am my only Love yours with the most perfect affection Yours H Knox Yes I forgot to tell you I go to bed about nine oClock or before every night - we Intend attacking with the Bow Galleys soon & I believe Lord Howe intends attacking us God preserve You tomorrow I will do as you desire of You & your babe [written on side of page 3] my complements to M[rs] Pollard and [beg] to not think of me [illegible] [address leaf] Mrs. Knox NHaven [docket] Aug/76 [struck: Mr] Genl to Mrs K