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TRANSCRIPT GLC
2437.09.146
Henry Knox. Autograph
letter draft: Westpoint, to George
Washington, 1782 September 7. 3 p. + doc.
West
point 7 Sept 1782
[inserted
– different hand: To W]
Sir
I
received your Excellencys favor of the 5th instant respecting the
repairs of arms in the Army. The
respective brigades have hitherto executed by their own armorers [struck:
as many repairs as possible] [inserted:
the common repairs [struck: of their arms]], and when the business
was industriously [struck: pursued
attended] pursued they have been nearly able to [struck:
execute all the light repairs] [inserted: [struck: perform]
keep the arms in order]. This is
still, under present circumstances the only possible mode to be adopted, for
there is not one hired armorer in the Army of the United States.
[inserted:
Your Excellncy must have been misinformed with respect to any armorers at
this post, [inserted: as] there are none here.]
The
brigades are in possession of travellng forges, and can have them removed to
Verplanks point. Three ounces of
borax, and two quarts of salt will serve a travelling forge for the campaign.
The one can be obtained of the Commissary and I have sent a person to
endever to purchase [inserted: a pound of] borax, upon ten days credit.
if he succeeds it shall be instantly forwarded. [struck: Three
Weeks] [inserted: Some time] ago I sent to Philadelphia for Borax, and I
expect it [strike-out] momently.
I have
pressing & urged [inserted: to General Lincoln] the importance of
having [inserted: [struck: at this Garison]] a company of armorers
[struck: to Gen Lincoln] [inserted: at this Garrison].
In the first letter, he answerd that the present desire must be submitted
to for he [struck: cannot] [inserted: could not] obtaining means
to pay [struck: them] [inserted: armorers].
In another letter of the 2d ultimo he proposes [struck: the
propriety] [inserted: a] consideration of the propriety [2] of forwarding
some German prisoners of War, who are [strike-out] armorers, and who wish
to obtain their liberation; & [struck: wish] [inserted:
desires] to know whether they could be trusted – I am of opinion that
principls of propriety preclude, employs in this Garrison; persons of that
description [struck: and any
accidents arising from them could not be forgiven by the person giving orders
for that purpose at Springfield to Philadelphia] [inserted:
If any accident that arise <?> the employing them would not be
forgiven by the <?>], they might be set at work with advantage [inserted:
at Springfield or Philadelphia] I
have not yet answrd Genl Lincolns letter, and before I do, I pray that your
Excellncy would have the goodness to transmit to me your sentiments on the
subject
A
Captain [inserted: <?>] of the York Levies, [struck: [inserted:
<?>] <?>] [inserted: <?>] at Bedford, [struck:
has sent] [inserted: <?> post sent] to the provost at this
place <?>. The has forwarded
no evidens but wrote a letter which <?> Judge Advocate, transmited to
Colonel Cobb. [struck: If he is not
amenable to our laws] It appears that Capt Kent gave him prompt punishment for
some [struck: real or] supposed misbehaviour, and afterwards as an additional
punishment orderd him to West point. If
the man has already been punished, or if we [struck: have work] he is not
amenable to our laws, it appears to be an infraction of the principles of
justice to detain him any longer. [struck:
It appears] [inserted: is] pretty clearly to me that [struck:
Capt] Kent is gratifying his own malignity at the expence of our humanity.
I should not have [3] troubled you with reading this, [inserted:
but have discharged him myself] had not the matter been previously before your
Excllncy. [struck: I should
have discharged him]
I have the honor to be with great Respect
Your Excelencys
Most Obednt
servt
His Excelency
General Washington
[docket]
To His Exy. Gen. Washington
7th Sept. 1782.
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