[draft] Beverly Dec.r 27. 1787 My Dear Sir Your friendly letter of the 21st ulto. I received several days ago - I have been waiting the event of our Elections here of Delegates for the Convention, which have run more in favour of the Constitution than many expected - I am not particularly acquainted with the sentiments of the members shown, relative to the merits or demerits of the system - but many very respectable characters are chosen and men whose sentiments in General are in favor of good Government - ten days ago the friends of the Constitution thought there was no chance of it's adoption but I believe, the better opinion now is that there is nearly an equal chance in its favor - the state appears, [to] me to divide on the question nearly as it has in all political questions for several years past - thinking men seem, in general, to be impressed with an idea of the necessity of adopting it or at least something like it - it will have substantial friends here, but not, I believe, a great many very [zealous] admirers - I doubt whether it has monarchy enough in it for some of our Massachusetts [inserted: men] or democracy enough for others - there will be from three to four hundred men in the Convention - a body numerous enough for so intricate a subject - We hear nothing satisfactory of European affairs I want to know exceedingly what G. [Britain] intends to do - I cannot [inserted: wish] our good friends the Dutch to destroy each other - but after so much bustle I think some of the neighboring [inserted: powers] must find it difficult to settle all their matters of dispute without blows - should there be a war in Europe, and we [struck: do] take no part in [inserted: it] but attend to the establishments of commerce, regular branches of [2] Business and firm and stable Government among ourselves [struck: well] we shall, in a few years, be in a happy [struck: situt] situation I hope in a few months we shall know what will be the [results] of our attempts to establish Government - we are in that kind of suspense now which is injurious to all private pursuits - I expect to [see] you in New York as soon as Congress shall get assembled for business which I am informed will probably be sometime in January - Boston Decr 30 - since I arrived here yesterday I find the elections in the province of Main [sic] and in the three Western Counties have not been so much in favor of the Constitution as was supposed - Give my respects to Mrs. Knox I am my Dear Sir With great esteem and respect Your most obd.t Hum Servt N. Dane Gen.l Knox [address leaf] General H. Knox - Secretary at War New York [docket] Mr Dane 27,th and 30th Decr 1787