TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.17.21
Henry Knox. Autograph letter draft signed: Boston, to George
Washington, 1784 February 21. 3 p. + doc.
Boston Feby. 21 [struck: March] 1784 –
[inserted – different hand: To Genl Washington]
Agreeably to my promise my dear sir I write to you from this
place, and flatter myself with the hope that although my letter
contains no important intelligence, yet it may not be unpleasing
to you –
Your calm retreat of Mount Vernon, must be a source of ineffable
delight to you. You can [strike-out] [inserted: from thence]
take a retrospective view of the [strike-out] [inserted: critical]
exigenies of the War, and see [strike-out] a thousand ways
by which the issue might have been the reverse of what it
is – And your happiness must [struck: now] be in proportion
to the [strike-out] to the extreme [struck: for] difficulties
and danger [struck: of] [inserted: in] the contest, and the
immense blessings secured to your country by the glorious
peace, contrasted with the miseries of an unfortunite termination
We have little or no politicks. [strike-out] Most sensible
men see the importance of the powers of the union being higher
braced – but no measures are proposed to effect it –
New Hampshire and this state have come into the impost exactly
as proposed by Congress – and it appears to be pretty
certain that [strike-out] Rhode Island & Connectcut [2]
will be induced to aceede to it –
The Cincinnati appears [inserted: (however groundless)] to
be an object of Jealousy – The idea is that it has been
created by a foreign influence in order to change our forms
of Government and this is strengthed by a letter from some
of our ministers abroad – Burkes pamphlett has had its
full operation – The cool dispassionate [struck: people]
[inserted: men] seem to approve of the institution generally
thouh dislike the hereditary desent. – The two branches
of the Legislature [inserted: of the State vizt] the assembly
& Senate have chosen a Committee “To inquire into
any [struck: con] assertations or combinations which have
or may be formed to introduce undue distinctions in the community,
and whch may have a tendency to create a race of [inserted:
an] hereditary nobility contrary to the confederation of the
united States & the spirit of this constitution.”
– [inserted: They have not yet reported, and perhaps
will not –] The same sentiments prevade new England
– [struck: Our] [insertedinserted: respectable] meeting
on Boston on the 10th instant at which Genl Lincoln presided
– [struck: Our friend] Genl Heath was not present –
a Committee [struck: wh] was chosen to attend the general
meeting, [struck: of which] at Philadelphia next May –
Genl Putnam – Colo Cobb Lt Col. Hull – Maj Sargent
– [strike-out] [inserted: probably two only will attend]
– It was thought prudent not to make any honory members
at [3] present – The officers and soldiers [strike-out]
conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, and are generally
as industrious as any part of the community [struck: and are
well respected] –
I wrote to your [inserted: Excellency] from West Point on
the 5 ultimo enclosing [inserted: the returns &] a particular
account of matters there [inserted: which I hope met your
approbation] – and I also wrote you [struck: from there]
on the 9th the day I set out from that place – [strike-out]
[struck: I have taken a house] [inserted: We reside at Dorchester]
about 5 miles from [inserted: town] where we are agreably
situated for the present – [struck: Mrs. Knox joins
me in] [struck: I have heard nothing of any by Congress] I
shall hope for the pleasure of hearing from you at your leisure
Mrs Knox presents her sincere & [inserted: ardent] respects
and affection to Mrs Washington, and will have the [struck:
happiness] pleasure of writing to her soon, In which I pray
my [struck: affectionate] [inserted: respectful] compliments
may be added – I am my dear sir
Your truly respectful and affectionate
humble servt
H Knox
His Excellcy Genl Washington
[docket]
To his Excellency Genl Washington
21. Feby 1784 –
Notes:
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