TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.53.56
George Washington. Letter signed: Rocky Hill, to Henry Knox,
1783 September 23. 4 p. + doc. & address leaf.
Rocky Hill 23d. Sep. 1783.
My dear Sir,
The favorable Sentiments expressed in your private letter
of the 17th. Inst and which you say are felt by the Officers
in general on the late honor conferred upon me by Congress,
cannot fail of adding greatly to my sensibility on the occasion
– It always has, & I trust ever will be, the most
pleasing reflection on my life that in a contest so important,
so long, & so arduous, - accompanied by such a variety
of distressing & perplexing circumstances to all who have
been engaged in it but more especially to the Officers of
the Army that I have been able, under all these disadvantages,
to point my course in such a manner as to have receiv’d
many flattering testimonies of regard from the latter, and
proofs of general esteem from my Country at large. –
I have left no oppertunity unimproved to bring the Officers
Petition to an Issue. – I have not heard an uplifted
voice against it since I came to this place; and if I am to
form a judgement from what I have seen & heard, Congress
is sincerely disposed to serve them. – but there was
a difficulty in the way of which I had no knowledge ‘till
I came here, and it is not absolutely got over yet: -
That District of Country located by the Petitioners is part
of the Land claimed by Virginia – Virginia, with certain
reservations, and upon condition that the United [2] States
should Guarantee the remainder of her Territory, ceded all
the Lands Northwest of the Ohio – To these terms Congress
would not agree – thus matters had stood for more than
two years – and thus I found them when I came here.
– I have laboured since, & I hope not unsuccessfully,
to convince the Members of Congress that while the United
States and the State of Virginia are disputing about the right,
or the terms of the Cession, Land jobbers and a lawless Banditti
who would bid defiance to the authority of either & more
than probably involve this Country in an Indian War, would
spread themselves over the whole of it, to the great injury
[inserted: to the Officers &ca.] of the Army, who are
patiently waiting the decision of Congress to settle in [inserted:
a] legal manner and under a proper form of Government.
Within these few days, Congress have accepted the Virginia
Cession with some exceptions which the Delegates from that
State think will be yielded to by the Assembly at its next
meeting in October – In the meantime, if it can be done
with propriety, I will endeavor to have preparatory arrangements
made that no delay may happen when the present difficulties
shall be removed.
As I have never heard it suggested by any Member of Congress
that General Lincoln either had offered, or proposed to offer
his resignation upon the arrival of the Definitive Treaty
(tho’ I have understood as much from himself) I have
no ground, as yet, to work upon; but whenever [3] the occasion
shall offer, I will not forget your wishes, nor shall I want
inclination to promote them. –
If you can learn by indirect means which of, or whether all
the Engineers now at West point – (if you could extend
to others thro’ that channel so much the better) –
are inclined to remain in the American Service upon a Peace
Establishment I would thank you for the information.
I shall be obliged to you for pointing out, in precise terms,
what is expected from the President of the Cincinati previous
to the general Meeting in May next – As I never was
present at any of your Meetings, & have never seen the
proceedings of the last, I may, for want of information of
the part I am to act, neglect some essential duty; which might
not only be injurious to the Society, but Mortifying to myself,
as it would discover a want of knowledge, or want of attention
in the President.
Humphreys & Walker have each had an ill turn since they
have come to this place – the latter is getting about,
but the other is still in his Bed of a fever that did not
till yesterday quit him for 14 or 15 days. – The danger
I hope is now past, & he has only his flesh to recover,
part of which, or in other words [inserted: of] the weight
he brought with him from the Scales at West point he would
readily compound for. – Mrs. Washington has also been
very unwell as most of my domesticks and Guard have been &
indeed now are – Mrs. Washington & myself are very
glad to hear that Mrs. Knox & the Children are [4] well
– she joins me very cordially in best wishes for them
- & Compliments to General & Mrs. Huntington and all
our Acquaintances with you.
I am very truly & affectionably
Yr. Most Obedt & very
Hble Servt
Go: Washington
[docket]
(Private) from his Excellency Genl Washington 23 Septr 1783
– [inserted– diff. hand: Original No 24 - ]
[address]
Majr. Genl. Knox
Notes: Published in Fitzpatrick, John C. The Writings of George
Washington. v. 27, pp. 162-5. GLC 2437.52.151 is a duplicate
of this document.
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