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TRANSCRIPT GLC
2437.08.116
Henry Knox. Autograph
letter draft signed: Baskenridge,
to George Washington, 1782 April 21. 3
p. + docket.
Baskenridge
21 April 1782
[inserted
– different hand: To
Washington]
My
dear General.
We
have at last left Elizabeth Town. Our
stay there was unreasonably protrated by the frequent references to New York.
Your Excellency by a recurrence to the dates of the respective papers
will observe that much time was spent in that manner.
We have very good reason to believe that all the important propositions
made by us were discus’d in New York by a Council [struck: of War of
the] General officers. [struck:
of the adverse <?>]. Your
Excellency will [struck: per] comprehend the whole business, by the
papers, which pas’d between us, our report, and private letter. [struck:
accompanying it.]
[inserted:
We have a consciousness of having intended well, and we hope our
proceedings will meet with your approbation every circumstance wc we observed [inserted:
totaled to] convinced us, that we never shall obtain justice or equal treatment
from the Enemy, but what were an, as in <?>, in a position to demand it
[struck: when they are
<?>]]
I was
much obliged by your letter of the 30th ultimo although the person to
whom you alluded had gone from Elizabeth by that time – I have [struck:
not the least] [inserted: very little] doubt of his inemical <?> to
us, and from some circumstances deliver’d to me [struck: at Elizabeth
Town] since the receipt of yr letter by Colonel [inserted: M.] Ogden, it
appears that there are deep suspicions of him and some other persons being now [struck:
concerned] [inserted: in actual] [struck: in a] corespondence with
the Enemy.
Colonel
Ogden, concieves he has things in such a train that the moments of detection and
proof is near which he will instantly communicate to your Excellncy
Colonel
Smith will relate [struck: to you some] circumstances, which [struck:
make it] rather look as if some persons [2] have not too delicate in their
transactions. This perhaps may be
carried [strike-out] under the idea of obtaining inteligence but I am
afraid in some cases more intelligence could be derived to the Enemy than to us.
Your Excelleny knows the importance and value of the intelligence you
obtain through the medium of Elizabeth town.
In my opinion nothing but the importance of this would counter
ballance the evils which arise from [struck: having] [inserted:
continuing] a post there. [struck: I think] if all exchanges of prisonrs were
made by the north River it would be [struck: much] better, and prevent
much improper communication which unavoidably prevails at present.
Colonel Smith will be able [inserted: fully] to explain this
matter [struck: much] more <?>.
I have
received a letter from General Lincoln, informing that Congress have been
pleas’d to promote me, in the manner most flattering [inserted: to my [struck:
feelings] wishes] founded upon your Excellencys letter from York Town.
I cannot express how deeply I am [strike-out] impres’d with a
sense of your <?> and the favorable point of view in which you have [struck:
received] [inserted: regarded] my feeble attempts to promote the
<?> of the service of my country. I
[struck: shall ever retain a most lively sense] [inserted: shall
ever retain my dear General a lively sense of [strike-out] your
friendship and kindness] & your goodness and shall
[struck: regard your Excellencys] [inserted: be happy
indeed if my future [struck: actions] conduct] approbation as [struck:
the principal and most precious reward of my military services.] [inserted:
shall meet with the same precious rewards] [struck: I beg you] [inserted:
I shall ever retain my dear General the most lively [struck: sense] [inserted:
[strike-out] idea] of your goodness and friendship, and shall be happy
indeed if my future conduct shall meet with your approbation, [struck:
which to me will be the most precious reward] I beg [struck: you sir to
present my respectful compliments to Mrs Washington] [inserted: leave to
present my respectful compliments to Mrs Washington who I hope] [struck:
I hope Mrs Washington] enjoys a perfect state of health in the pure [struck:
region] [inserted: air] of Hudson’s River.
[3]I am my dear Sir
with all possible respect and attachmnt
Your most hbl Serv.
H Knox
His Excellency
General Washington
[docket]
To
His Excellncy General
Washington 21 April 1782.
(private)
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