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Letter from Henry Knox, April
14, 1796 |
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TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.39.031
Henry Knox. Autograph letter draft: Boston, to George Washington, 1796 April 14. 4 p.
Boston 14th April 1796
[inserted - different hand: To President]
My dear Sir
I have received your kind favor of the 4th instant. [struck: It always will ever be] I shall always regret [struck: any obstruction to comply with] [inserted: every circumstance what may obstruct a compliance on my part with] your wishes public or private. The Appointment of Commissioner, would make most essentially my plans for the summer, and which are [struck: in a] [inserted: at a considerate] train of execution - [struck: If I have with approval <?>,] I shall have sixty workmen employed during the summer, in errectg mills, [struck: but] and other buildings opening slate and marble quarries, and in keeping lime and [struck: bring] bricks. [struck: in <?> a power] [inserted: <?>] These are [2] [inserted: and other things] experments to raise a revenue while my lands are gradually selling at the lest nimbel prices
There is another circumstance which I confess [inserted: confidentialy] has a considerable influence on my mind declining the business. I am directly and collaterally very much interested in the lands of the district of Maine. [struck: The impressions I have respecting the boundery are] [inserted: such impressed] that our claim is not well founded, [struck: although <?> by many people] But the people in this State have their expectations [struck: <?>] [inserted: buoyed] up on the subject - Any decision therefore contrary to their wishes [strike-out] may be liable to wrong Constraitions, not only against me as in <?> [3] but against the executive, for appointing such a person. It would seem upon closer reflection most proper that the Commissioner should not be of this State. My mind lately has [strike-out] fixed upon Colonel Wadsworth. Judge Sullivan would make a very proper agent or advocate for the US.
I have however in a private letter to Colonel Pickering mentioned that under certain circumstances the appointment might remain as at present - Not that I desire it, but merely as it might [struck: at present ostensibly <?>] be expedent, to have an offensible appearance [4] on the part of the executive of a readiness to execute the treaty.
The great mass of the people of New England, I truely believe 9/10th approve of [struck: answer] [inserted: reply] to the House as [struck: the ver vaire] as [struck: unaser] unanswerable and highly wise - The abuse of [struck: the Jacobenane] [inserted: certain newspapers] newspapers, [struck: has produced no other sensation than indignation] produces no other effect than indignation No cheife national magastrate ever possessed more love, and veneration than you do - [struck: This]
The President of the US
Transcript GLC 2437.39.031
Draft 6 (3/18/2001)
Page 1
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