TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.14.156
Henry Knox. Letter draft: West Point, to George Washington,
1783 October 1. 3 p. + doc.
West point 1 October 1783
[inserted – different hand: H.K. to Washington Westpoint
1 Oct. 1783]
my dear General
I am unable to express the sense I have of your kindness
in the instance of your writing to Genl Lincoln on the 6th
of June last respecting an extra allowance from the public
as head of the ordnance, and during the time I have been in
the command of these posts. Your letter to him was so full
and complete that I did not think another word was necessary
to have obtained the compensation requested. I am really astonished
that it has not answered the end, and, totally ignorant of
the reasons. To obtain some information and if possible a
favorable resolve is the sole reason of Major Shaws journey.
He will make the necessary inquiry and inform your Excellency
of the present state of the [2] application. I have such an
opinion of the honor of Congress that they only want full
information, to render equal justice to [inserted: all] their
servants. If the [struck: matter] [inserted: request] should
not have been presented to Congress in a manner tending to
ensure success, or should not have been presented at all,
perhaps it might be well to drop the claim for an extra allowance
as master of ordnance, and prefer the one, for the time I
have been in the command at this place. It is upon this principle
I have taken the liberty to address a publick letter to your
Excellency, submitting [struck: to you] entirely to you the
propriety of bringing it before Congress in its new form [struck:
or] with such observations as you should please to add in
its favor, or to persevere in the first application. [struck:
I hope it]
I hope it cannot be thought an unreasonable solicitation,
to be placed upon the same footing with my predecessors, as
an equality of rewards for the same services is but common
justice – General McDougall by a special application
in Augt 80 obtained compensation for the line he previously
commanded [struck: these posts] [inserted: here,] and afterwards
in consequence of a resolve of Congress Generals Heath McDougall
and Patterson obtained the same
I have [strike-out] experienced too many instances of your
favorable regards not to rely with confidence upon your interest
[struck: upon] [inserted: in] an affair upon which you have
so fully given your opinion [3]
As Major Shaw is going abroad a certificate of his services
from your Excellency might be of the greatest utility to him
– [struck: I take the liberty I beg the favor of one]
[inserted: I] [struck: should] [inserted: should] [struck:
would] say every thing in his favor – But] your Excelley
knows [struck: him and therefore will not be diffident]
[struck: Mrs]
As Major Shaw is going abroad, a certificate of his services,
under your Excellenys hand might be of the greatest utility
to him. I should say every thing in his favor, – that
your Excelleny knows him.
Mrs Knox joins me in presenting our [struck: mos] respectful
complements to Mrs Washington, and our ardent wishes for the
perfect re establishment of her health.
I am my Dear Sir
with the greatest attachment
Your most obedient Servant
H Knox
His Excellecy General Washington
[docket]
To his Excellency General
Washington 1st October
1783 –
Notes:
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