TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.23.042
Henry Knox. Autograph letter draft signed: New York, to George
Washington, 1788 December 21. 4 p.
New York 21 December 1788
[inserted – different hand: To Genl Washington]
[struck: My dear Sir]
It is a long time my dear Sir since I have had the pleasure
of addressing you owing to my having been [struck: absent]
into Massachusetts and to Penobscot [struck: for nearly] [inserted:
during a period of the last] four months [struck: past] –
I have received your favor enclosing some applications [struck:
respecting] for admission into the Cincinnati, which are [struck:
duly] filed [struck: and will][inserted: but which cannot]
be considered [struck: in due time] untill the next general
meeting in the year 1792 –
In [struck: the] [inserted: the states of] New Hampshire
Massachusetts and Connecticut, [inserted: [struck: in which
I have lately been]] the great [struck: quest] object [struck:
of] [inserted: of organizing] the new constitution, [struck:
and the of] has engrossed the attention [inserted: of the
people] [struck: some time past] –
It is with sincere satisfaction [2] [inserted: that I can
from personal observation [strike-out] assert [strike-out]]
that the affections of the great majority in those states
is encreasing [struck: daily] for the new system and it is
dayly becoming highly popular. The senators [struck: from]
[inserted: of] those states are [struck: sensible good] characters
calculated to [strike-out] inspire confidence in the new government
and are all highly federal – [struck: and] I am persuaded
their representatives will [struck: most] generally if not
entirely be of the same description.
As to Rhode Island they are in such a train that nothing
good can at present be expected from them – their paper
money system and tender laws are sufficiently characteristick
of their pursuits
New York are also laboring under errors of conduct –
but from the powerful party in this state in favor of the
[3] system, something may be hoped in the elections
New Jersey, Pensylvania Delaware and Maryland are right
The choice of Representatives in Pennsylvania may be considered
as a fair appeal to the people with respects to their approbation
of the new government – and although the [struck: local
party] [inserted: party in favor of the local] constitution
[strike-out] of that state have been brought to operate against
the general constitution, yet [strike-out] the majority of
the people are its firm supporters –
[struck: Your Knowledge of Virginia [struck: sufficient]
[inserted: & the southern states] must be adequate to
an opinion their on the present occassion]
[4] Mr John Adams will probably have the plurality of views
for vice President – from his principles of government
[struck: & from] [inserted: as well] his professions of
regard to the character universally decided on for the President
he will probably be one of the best characters for [struck:
that] [inserted: the] office of vice president
Our three [inserted: youngest] [struck: our] children have
had the measles and are we hope [inserted: all] through the
disorder – Lucy and Harry are about receiving the infection
[strike-out].
Mrs Knox [inserted: presents her respects to you and] unites
with me in presenting our sincere [struck: regards] [inserted:
affection] to Mrs Washington, [struck: and her grandchildren]
I am my dear Sir
[struck: with perfect] your sincerely
affectionate friend &
humble servant
H Knox
His Excellency General Washington
Major Haskell who was aid de Camp to General Howe is going
to Europe and his very solicitous to obtain a certificate
from your Excellency of his services – He sustained
a character of a brave and good officer
[docket]
To his Ex Genl Washington
21 Decr 1788 –
Notes: Published in Twohig, Dorothy et al. The Papers of George
Washington. Presidential Series. v. 1: 195-197.
|
