EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT
                                24 Federal Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 482-8260


                                                                    May 23, 1997

Office of Filings, Information & Consumer Services
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, DC  20549

         Re:      Eaton Vance Strategic Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio")
                  Amendment No. 4 (File No. 811-8342) (the "Amendment")
                  Request for Withdrawal of Amendment


Dear Sir or Madam:

         Pursuant to Rule 477(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933 (the
"1933 Act"),  we  respectfully  request an order of the  Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission")  granting  the  withdrawal  of the  first of two
Amendments No. 4 filed on April 24, 1997.

     The  Amendment   transmitted   on  April  24,  1997  bearing  the  CIK  No.
"0000918706" (Accession No.  0000940394-97-000138)  was an erroneous filing done
on behalf of the  Strategic  Income  Portfolio.  This  version of the  Amendment
should be deleted from your records.

     The correct  filing was  accepted by your office on April 24, 1997  bearing
the CIK No. "0000925764" (Accession No.  0000940394-97-000139)  on behalf of the
Special Investment Portfolio.

         Please  contact  me at (617)  482-8260,  extension  540 if you have any
questions concerning the foregoing.



                                                     Very truly yours,


                                                     /s/ Eric G. Woodbury
                                                         Eric G. Woodbury, Esq.
                                                         Vice President