TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.17.101
Henry Knox. Autograph document signed: Dorchester [Mass.], to George Washington, 1784 July 26. 3 p. + doc.

[inserted - different hand: HK to Washington]

Dorchester – July 26th 1786

My dear sir.

[struck: An approbation]A fear of [strike-out] intruding upon your more important concerns has prevented my writing to you since my return. I found here your kind favor of the [struck: 5th] [inserted: 2d] of June with its enclosure for General Putnam, which I delivered.

The measures taken by congress respecting the western posts, must defeat themselves by their own imbecillity. I cannot say but that I am well [struck: inough] satisfied [struck: that I was] [inserted: to be] excluded from any responsibility in arrangements that cannot be executed. [inserted: The attempt] To employ [strike-out] militia for twelve months in an arduous operation of conveying the Stores and making permanent establishments in that difficult country after the experience we have had of them; [struck: can do it is truly ridiculous] characterizes itself.

Agreably to the orders of Congress I sent Colonel Hull to General Haldimand to request that he would [inserted: immediately] deliver [struck: to the] up the posts on our frontiers – [strike-out] If he should comply [struck: with the request] [2] and fix his own time at a short day which [struck: it is supposed] If he delivers them at all, he will do for his own convenience, or we should be [strike-out] [inserted: redicuously] embarrassed, not having a man, for that purpose–

[inserted– overleaf: I presume General Lincoln informed you that the alterations of the Cincinnati are generally satisfactory in this state – The opposition to it is [struck: entirely] dead, one or two persons [inserted: [strike-out]] it is said [inserted: however] still grumble – Our Society on the 4th of July was very full, and adopted it unanimously exceptly one [struck: person] vote.]

General Lincoln Mr Partridge and myself are going at the request of the Legislature of this State to examine what encroachments have been made by the british on its eastern boundary – We shall set out on this business in a few days.

Mrs Knox joins me in presenting our [inserted: affectionate] respects to Mrs Washington, &

I am my dear Sir
Your truly affectionate
Humble Servant
H Knox

His Excelly
Genl. Washington

[docket]
To his Excellency Genl
Washington 26 July 1784

Notes: Published in Twohig, Dorothy et. al. The Papers of George Washington. Confederation Series. v. 2: 10-11.