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TRANSCRIPT
GLC 2437.53.59
George
Washington. Autograph
letter signed: Mount
Vernon, to Henry Knox, 1784 February 20.
3 p.
Mount
Vernon Feby. 20th. 1784.
My
dear Sir,
The
bad weather, and great care which the Post Riders take of
themselves, prevented your letters of the 3d. & 9th. of
last month from getting to my hands 'till the 10th. of this. -
Setting of next morning for Fredericksburgh to pay my duty to
an aged mother, and not returning 'till yesterday, will be
admitted I hope, as a sufficient apology for my silence 'till
now.
I
am much obliged by the trouble you have taken to report the
state of the Garrison & stores, together with the
disposition of the Troops at West-Point, to me. - and think
the allowance of Rations, or subsistence money to such
Officers as could not retire at that inclement season, was not
only perfectly humane, but perfectly just. - and that it must
appear so to Congress.
It
would seem to me, without having recourse to calculation, that
the allowance of a Majr. General in a separate department, to
the person who shall discharge the duties of Secretary at War,
Master of Ordnance, & Commanding Officer of the Forces
which may be retained or Raised for a Peace Establishment is
[strike-out] [inserted: as
then as it well can be]. - I expect the President & some
members of Congress here in a day or two, & will tell them
so. -
It
was amongst my first acts after I got home, to write to the
President of each state Society, appointing Philadelphia
(& the first Monday in May) for the general meeting of the
Cincinnati. - Colo.
Walker took with him, all the Letters for those Eastward of
this; before New Years day; the others for the Southward, I
dispatched by the [2] Post [strike-out] about the sametime -
I have even sent duplicates for fear of miscarriage; -
yet, 'though it is the most eligable method, it is to
be feared it will not prove so effectual a communication, as
[strike-out] a general notification in the public Gazettes
[inserted: would have been] -
And, in case of failure, I shall be exceedingly
concerned for not having adopted the most certain as it would
give me pleasure to have the first general meeting, a very
full one. -
I
have named Philadelphia (contrary to my own judgment, as it is
not central) to comply with the wishes of South Carolina, who,
being the most Southern State, have desired it. -
North Carolina I have not heard a tikle from, nor any
thing official from New Hampshire. -
all the other States have aceeded very unanimously to
the propositions which were sent from the army. -
I
am just beginning to experience that ease, and freedom from
public cares which, however desirable, takes some time to
realize; for strange as it may tell, it is nevertheless true,
that it was not 'till lately I could get the better of my
usual custom of ruminating as soon as I waked in the morning,
on the business of the ensuing day; - and of my surprize,
after having revolved many things in my mind, to find that I
was no longer a public man, or had anything to do with public
transactions. - I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied traveller must do, who, after treading many a painful
step, with a heavy burden on his shoulders, is eased of the
latter, having reached the Goal to which all the former were
directed - & from his House top is looking back, &
tracing with a [strike-out] [inserted: grateful] eye the
meanders by which he escaped the quicks and [3] and mires
which lay in his way, and into which none but the All-powerful
guide, & great disposer of human Events could have
prevented his falling. -
I
shall be very happy, and I hope shall not be disappointed, in
seeing you at the proposed meeting in Philadelphia. - The
friendship I have conceived for you will not be impaired by
absence, but it may be no unpleasing circumstance to brighten
the Chain, by a renewal of the Covenant. - My best wishes
attend Mrs. Knox & the little folks, in which Mrs.
Washington most heartily joins me. - With every sentiment of
the purest esteem, regard and affection
I
am, My dear Sir,
Yr.
Most Obed. & obliged
Hble
Servant,
Go:
Washington
PS.
I
hope Genl Greene will be in the Delegation from Rhode Island -
and that we shall see him at the Genl. Meeting of the
Cincinnati - will you intimate this to him
Majr.
Genl Knox.
Notes:
Published in Fitzpatrick, John C.
The Writings of George Washington. v 27, p.
339-341
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