Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02359 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 August 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33.3 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. References Lincoln's letter of 22 July. Says he would like to know why his request for compensation was denied, especially the part that relates to his command of West Point. Says his successors all received the pay of a major general and that his expenses have not been greater than any of them. Reports that Captain Patten of the artillery artificers is anxious to have a decision on his communication with Lincoln and will meet with him for that purpose. Says that Patten and his officers are entitled as much as any who have served in the army. Believes there will not be a meeting of the Massachusetts branch of the Society of the Cincinnati until the winter and says Lincoln does not need to attend it. Asks what the delay was in sending the definitive treaty.
[draft]
West Point 1 August 1783
My Dear Sir
last night I received your favor of the 22 ultimo. You mention no compensation was granted upon [strikeout] my application. I should like to know the reasons of the refusal especially upon that part which relates to the command of this post. every [struck: pers] officers who commanded previously to me has received the pay of a major General in separate command as a reimbursement of [struck: his] [inserted then struck: their] expenses. [inserted in the left hand margin: In the case of Genl McDougall it was granted in the summer of [80] upon his special application, [struck: and that of] the other General officers received [inserted: received it] in consequence of a resolution of Congress. [struck: I wish the issue of the application with you]] I am pretty certain that my unavoidable expenses have been as great as [strikeout] any of my predecessors. The exception [strikeout] has something disagreeable as it, for which I wish to know the reason. [inserted: It appears to me highly singular, if they understood the matter that [inserted: Congress] [struck: they] could make so extraordinary distinction. I wish the issue of the application with you]
Captain Patten of the artificers is anxious to have the affair decided with respect to the officers of his company receiving the commutation and waits upon you for that purpose. If there are no fixed principles which excludes him, and any [2] others similarly situated have received the commutation he and his officers are [inserted: by their services] are richly entitled to it as any man of this description who have been in the Continental Army.
I believe there will not be any necessity of a meeting of the Massachusetts state society of Cincinnati untill next winter. If there should be it will not be necessary that you should attend as [it cannot of] the situation of the officers be [strikeout] general meeting.
If that can be the reason of the definitive treaty not arriving. Your opinion of [struck: the] its arrival must have been taken from the arrival of the mercury frigate, but if the treaty came what [inserted: induces] Sir Guy continues to keep it a secret.
I am Dear Sir
Your affectionate
HKnox
Genl Lincoln
[docket]
To General Lincoln August
1783.
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