TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.16.145
Henry Knox. Autograph letter draft signed: West Point, to
George Washington, 1784 January 3. 4 p. + doc.
[inserted - different hand: K. to Washington]
Washington & also army in part
West point 3d. January 1784
My dear General.
I did not leave New York untill the 18th ultimo being the
earliest period, that we were able consistent with the wish
of Governor Clinton to withdraw the troops from thence. indeed
we then left nearly one hundred men, who are since releived
by a company of light infantry of the regiment retained in
Service – in addition to [strike-out] [inserted: which]
there is a , and about twenty artillery men.
I have [strike-out] discharged all the troops, but those
[inserted: specified in the] enclosed return, [struck: and]
[inserted: and] I beg [inserted: that] your Excellency [struck:
that] you would accept of my letter to Congress [inserted:
a copy of which is enclosed] as a report of that business.
I thought it would be best to write particularly to Congress
as it [struck: was] [inserted: was] probable that you were
at Mount Vernon, [struck: which] [inserted: and it] might
[struck: besides being such the] [inserted: cause much] delay
of [inserted: in] writing to them through you. [strike-out]
[strike-out] I have to request therefore that you will have
the goodness to consider this as a private letter. [struck:
I found it necessary in the to have the operation of those
on principle, or nearly so – The principle] [inserted:
It] having been established that the [struck: war and] [inserted:
objects] of the War being accomplished, and the service at
an end [2] no officer could claim to be such as the new [struck:
request which might with ] [inserted: arrangement] upon [inserted:
the mere] principle of seniority. And this was confirmed beyond
a doubt by [struck: the opinion] what [inserted: was] I understood
to be the opinion of the officers [struck: themselves], [struck:
who] who generally [struck: hold] [inserted: entertained]
the idea that it was optional with [struck: themselves whether]
[inserted: themselves] to continue or not, as suited their
circumstances without having their certificates for [inserted:
the] ultimate [struck: services of the] received of their
[struck: commodation] [inserted: services] delayed or denied
[struck: But the principle that seniority of rank could not]
The new Hampshire Officers agreed among themselves who should
officer the two companies which we formed from that State.
[struck: The Artillery officers were taken [inserted: nearly]
as they stood upon the list and] The [struck: choice] [inserted:
nomination] of the officers for the remaining seven companies
[inserted: of the Massachusetts line] were left entirely to
the field Officers – [struck: what] – [inserted
in margin: And the Artillery officers were taken nearly as
they stood upon the list.] Were it not for the peculiar situation
of the officers [struck: dismissed] [inserted: discharged]
in the midst of a severe season, [inserted: without pay] and
in some instances without the subsistence money I believe
the reduction would have been effected with as much facility
as any that have preceeded it – The discontents however
I believe have not been great except in the instance of Colonel
M Jackson whose affections and views, appear to have been
fixed to continue [3] in the service – Whatever may
be the sentiment of any person respecting my agency in this
necessary business I can [struck: safely] [inserted: truly]
[struck: boldly] assert that [struck: the] [inserted: a] [strike-out]
regard to the public Good has been my sole object [struck:
and that I think the arrangement] without favor or partiality
–
[struck: There are some [inserted: two or three] officers
who have families, which which from the proclamation of their
families ]
There are two or three officers who have families which from
the particular state of their circumstances, cannot be removed
this winter, to these I have order’d rations [struck:
for] untill the first of March, or subsistence money as [inserted:
it] may be. And there are [struck: are two or] perhaps some
so infirm [struck: that they cannot be removed] [inserted:
as to be in the same predicament.]
I shall expect to hear from your Excellency at Boston, respecting
the time [struck: when] and the place at which the general
society shall meet in May next, and upon any other subjects
which you may think proper.
I believe I [struck: never] [inserted: did not] mentioned
to your Excellency my ideas [struck: respectin] of the pay
[struck: of] [inserted: for] the offices that might be associated
vizt – the duties of the secretary at War, Master of
ordnance, and the [struck: charge de] charge or command of
any troops which might be retained in service. It appears
to me and I hope that I fairly estimate [4] the expences and
trouble, that the pay and emoluments of a Major General, in
a separate department free of any encumbrances, would not
be an unreasonable [strike-out] [inserted: appointment] [struck:
I think if If the Congress should honor] Should Congress think
proper to honor me with an offer of these offices associated
together, I should be willing to accept them upon the above
terms, – But I should do injustice to myself and family
to accept of any employment which would not prevent my involving
myself – [struck: I mention this not ]
Having brought the affairs [strike-out] [inserted: here]
nearly to a close I shall soon depart for Boston, for which
place Mrs Knox & her little family set out from New York
on the 16th ultimo. I should do violence to the dictates of
my heart were I to suppress [inserted: entirely] its sensations
of affection and gratitude to you for the innumerable instances
of your kindness and attention to me. And although I can find
no words equal to their warmth, I may venture to assure you
that they will remain indelibly fixed [struck: in my mind,
and that every encrease of your felicity and add to mine.]
I beg you to present to Mrs Washington my sincere regards
and ardent wishes for her health and happiness – and
I [strike-out] devoutly [struck: and sincerely] pray the Supreme
being to continue to [struck: keep your ] [inserted: afford
you his] [inserted at margin: [struck: holy] [inserted: efficient]
protection.
I am my dear General
Your truly affectionate
H. Knox]
[docket]
To his Excellency The president
of Congress.
3 Jan.y. 1784.
From Knox to [struck: Washington] [inserted: Congress] No
1.
Notes: Published in Twohig, Dorthy et. al. The Papers of George
Washington. Confederation Series v. 1: 05-08.
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